Psychology Commons^™

The Effects Of Parent And Peer Attachment On Risky Behavior In First-Year College Students, Jamie L. Callahan

Senior Theses and Projects

National statistics show that there is a marked increase in risky behaviors, such as substance use and risky sex, when students enter college (Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2009). In order to explain this phenomenon, researchers have explored multiple individual and environmental factors that might explain why some students are at higher risk for engaging in these behaviors. The quality of one’s relationship with a parent(s) has emerged as one key predictor of student adjustment (Larose, Bernier, & Tarabulsy, 2005; Larose & Boivin, 1998). Accordingly, in the current study it was hypothesized that the quality of first-year students’ relationships with parents …

Personality Traits And Career Decidedness: An Empirical Study Of University Students, Ryan M. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

Research on vocational behavior has made progress in identifying broad personality traits associated with career indecision; however, important questions remain unanswered about the temporal stability of relationships between broad personality traits and Career Decidedness (CD), and about the role of narrow personality traits as predictors of CD, both of which were addressed in this longitudinal field study. A total of 2,046 undergraduate students completed an online personality inventory and CD questionnaire. A sub-group (N=267) responded to a follow-up questionnaire seven months later. Results indicated, as hypothesized, that CD correlated positively with the broad (Big Five) personality traits, openness, conscientiousness, and …

A Multiple Regression Analysis Of Personality’S Impact On Actuarial Exam Performance, Matthew Ciaffone

Honors Projects in Mathematics

Existing literature indicates that there is some connection between personality and both academic and work-related performance. The author's intent for the research described herein is to explore this connection for students majoring in actuarial mathematics with regard to their performance on actuarial certification exams. Specifically, using the five-factor model of personality, the author seeks to predict the number of attempts required to pass the first two exams in the process (Exam 1/P - probability; Exam 2/FM - financial mathematics) using measures of the five dimensions of the five-factor model (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability) through regression …

Gender Differences In Perceived Costs And Benefits Of Workplace Mistreatment, Lindsey Greco

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Workplace mistreatment, in the form of both incivility and aggression, can have a major impact on personal and organizational outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the mental judgments that individuals make before engaging in either uncivil or aggressive behavior. Data was analyzed in terms of both the potential costs and the potential benefits that an instigator could expect from engaging in such behavior, with specific emphasis on gender differences in cost/benefit expectations. There were no significant gender differences in either the perceived costs or the perceived benefits of engaging in incivility. The hypothesis that individuals with a …

Situational Assessment On Leadership - Student Assessment (Salsa©): An Evaluation Of The Convergent Validity With Multi-Source Feedback In Division I Intercollegiate Athletics, David Normansell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study assessed the convergent validity of the Situational Assessment of Leadership – Student Assessment (SALSA©) and multi-source ratings in Division I intercollegiate athletic teams. Identified student-athlete team leaders were asked to complete the SALSA©, which assesses eight dimensions of leadership. By assessing the relationship between SALSA© scores and multi-source ratings (i.e., self, teammate, and coach), of the same eight leadership dimensions, a unique multi-dimensional perspective of leadership is revealed. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between overall SALSA© scores and overall self and coach performance ratings. Overall SALSA© scores also were significantly correlated with Overall Leadership Effectiveness peer-ratings. …

An Evaluation Of The Convergent Validity Of Situational Assessment Of Leadership-Student Assessment (Salsa© ) With Multi-Source Feedback In Mba And Ed.D. In Educational Leadership Students, Justin Tucker

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The current study assessed the convergent validity of the Situational Assessment of Leadership – Student Assessment (SALSA©), a situational judgment test (SJT), with multi-source ratings. The SALSA© was administered to MBA and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership students via Blackboard; multi-source ratings, which paralleled the leadership dimensions of the SALSA©, were administered online. Each student completed the SALSA© and was rated by his or her supervisor, 3-5 peers, 1-5 subordinates, and him/herself. SALSA© scores were not correlated with any of the corresponding dimensions on multi-source ratings. This finding may suggest that the multi-source ratings and SALSA© are not measuring the same …

When The Therapist Is Homosexual: An Examination Of Therapeutic Outcome Satisfaction, Lewis G. Busbee

Graduate Theses

This study investigated the relationship between client satisfaction and therapist sexuality. The current literature had little or no research on the topic. This article defines psychotherapy, noted that most clients perceived psychotherapy was beneficial, and found research stating therapists should consider all ethical implications when working with clients, particularly in regard to how influential therapist can be on their clients. A questionnaire packet was given to participants, and they were asked to complete: a demographic page, and a vignette that included gender and sexuality of therapist, along with a hypothetical treatment plan, a modified version of the CSQ-8 (Attkisson,1977/2011) which …

Self-Monitoring Personality At Work Revisited: A Comparative Meta-Analysis, Michael P. Wilmot

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Scholarship

The validity of self-monitoring personality in work and organizational settings was reexamined. Comparative meta-analyses using both random-effects and fixed-effects models were conducted (349 total samples; N = 75,811) to test the relationship between self-monitoring personality and work-related and demographic correlates, as well as the reliability of the self-monitoring measures. Contributions were made to the literatures of self-monitoring and meta-analysis. Self-monitoring: Results indicated that self-monitoring related to a number of relevant organizational outcomes, including job effectiveness and success, leadership, and ingratiation. Some results ran contrary to the prior meta-analysis (Day, Shleicher, Unckless, & Hiller, 2002). Meaningful differences were found between the …

The Pursuit Of Success: Can Status Aspirations Negatively Affect Body Satisfaction?, April R. Smith, Norman P. Li, Thomas E. Joiner

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether weight and success interact to produce body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors. To accomplish this aim, participants viewed pictures and read descriptions of women who varied in weight and career success. Participants who were high on status aspiration reported greater body dissatisfaction and ineffectiveness after being exposed to thin, successful women than did the participants who were low on status aspiration. Status aspiring participants, however, did not report greater drive for thinness, maturity fears, or bulimic symptoms. It is hoped that these findings will shed light on ways career women …

An Evaluation Of Alternate Forms Of Reliability Of The Situational Assessment Of Leadership: Student Assessment (Salsa©), Ashley N. Wade

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The primary goal of the current study was to re-evaluate, revise, and abbreviate alternate forms of the Situational Assessment of Leadership: Student Assessment (SALSA©) developed by Grant (2009). Archival response sets collected from individuals with extensive experience in leadership who were administered either the full-length SALSA© or Form A or B in previous studies. A total of 80 individual response sets comprised the final sample. Items were categorized by p-value and Subject Matter Expert ratings gathered from the previous study. Items were then selected based on a combination of difficulty and item-total correlation (ITC) values. Selected items were paired based …

The Relationship Between Superstitious Behaviors Of Sports Fans, Team Identification, Team Location, And Game Outcome, Shana M. Wilson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The present study examined how a fan's desire to participate in superstitious behaviors depends on team identification, team location, and game outcome. The study is a 2 (team identification: high vs. low) x 2 (game outcome: close game vs. blowout) x 2 (location of team: local vs. distant) between subjects factorial design. Participants for the current study included 234 students, recruited from undergraduate psychology classes at Western Kentucky University. Participants completed the Sport Spectator Identification Scale, read a randomly assigned vignette differing in team location and game outcome, and filled out the Superstition Questionnaire to measure their desire to complete …

Faking In Personality Assessments: An Investigation Of A Method Factor Measure Of Faking, Raven Lynnette Worthy

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of a newly developed "method factor" measure of faking to control for the effects of faking when personality tests are used to predict performance criteria. Traditional measures of faking, such as social desirability scales, have not been found to adequately control for faking. This study assessed the adequacy of the newly developed measure. When controlling for faking, as measured by the method factor, the validity of conscientiousness as a predictor of undergraduate GPA was larger. Additionally, the nature of the method factor across experimental conditions was investigated. The method factor …

An Investigation Of The Big Five And Narrow Personality Traits In Relation To Life Satisfaction, Hemali Rakesh Patel

Masters Theses

The present study focuses on the relationship between personality and Life Satisfaction. I analyzed the Big Five traits, six Narrow personality traits, and levels of Life Satisfaction in a sample of 5,932 individuals. A review of existing literature on other variables that contribute to Life Satisfaction was also conducted and used to measure against personality traits. The narrow traits added variance above and beyond the Big Five personality traits. All the Big Five traits and Optimism, Assertiveness, Intrinsic Motivation, and Tough-Mindedness were significantly and positively correlated with Life Satisfaction. Image Management was significantly and negatively correlated with Life Satisfaction. Results …

Playing With Fire Or Arson? Identifying Predictors Of Juvenile Firesetting Behavior, Mary Ellen Britt

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Firesetting is a complex behavior that spans a wide range of developmental stages in childhood and adolescence and involves varying motivations and intents. A better understanding of this destructive behavior is critical to developing strategies to control its devastating effects. The purpose of this research project was to identify potential predictors of juvenile firesetting behavior by studying youth who were enrolled in a regional firesetting intervention program. Data collected from firesetting assessment instruments completed by parents or guardians of program participants were examined. In the analyses, special emphasis was placed on evaluating associations between juvenile firesetting behavior and the socioeconomic …

Personality, Presence, And The Virtual Self: A Five-Factor Model Approach To Behavioral Analysis Within A Virtual Environment, Michael Patrick Mccreery

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

For several decades, researchers have explored the existence of the virtual self, or digital embodiment of self found within an avatar. It was surmised that this new component of one’s overall identity not only existed in conjunction with the public and private persona, but was replete with the necessary physical and psychological characteristics that facilitate a broad range of cognitive, cultural, and socio-emotional outcomes found within a virtual environment (e.g., Second Life, World of Warcraft). However, little is known with regard to whether these characteristics do indeed impact behavioral outcomes. For this reason, this study employed an observational assessment method …

Is It Cohesion Or Diversion? Domestic Instability And The Use Of Force In International Crises, Cigdem V. Sirin

Cigdem V. Sirin

This study asserts that cohesionary—rather than diversionary—motives primarily influence the propensity of political leaders to use external force in international crises in times of domestic turmoil. Specifically, I contend that mass violence leads political leaders to engage in cohesionary tactics to achieve and maintain social order in their country for political survival. Employing random effects probit analyses with International Crisis Behavior (ICB) data for one-hundred and thirty-nine countries from 1918 to 2005, I find that increased mass violence is more likely than other forms of domestic problems (be it an economic downturn or government instability) to instigate the external use …

Scarcity-Induced Domestic Conflict: Examining The Interactive Effects Of Environmental Scarcity And ‘Ethnic’ Population Pressures, Cigdem V. Sirin

Cigdem V. Sirin

This study argues that environmental scarcity is more likely to result in civil conflict in countries that experience ‘ethnic’ population pressures (i.e. where the size of the largest minority group is close to parity with the majority group). I refer to this argument as the ‘parity-threat’ approach to the study of scarcity-induced domestic conflict. I empirically test my argument by analysing time-series cross-section data for the period 1979–2000 using four alternative environmental indicators: (1) ecological footprint, (2) biocapacity, (3) scarcity of ecological reserves and (4) water scarcity. The results demonstrate that environmental scarcity increases the probability of civil conflict when …

Can Personality Disorder Experts Recognize Dsm-Iv Personality Disorders From Five-Factor Model Descriptions Of Patient Cases?, Benjamin M. Rottman, Nancy S. Kim, Woo-Kyoung Ahn, Charles A. Sanislow

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

Background: Dimensional models of personality are under consideration for integration into the next Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but the clinical utility of such models is unclear.

Objective: To test the ability of clinical researchers who specialize in personality disorders to diagnose personality disorders using dimensional assessments and to compare those researchers’ ratings of clinical utility for a dimensional system versus for the DSM-IV.

Method: A sample of 73 researchers who had each published at least 3 (median = 15) articles on personal- ity disorders participated between December 2008 and January 2009. The Five-Factor Model (FFM), one …

The Association Of Personality Disorders With The Prospective 7-Year Course Of Anxiety Disorders, Emily B. Ansell, Anthony Pinto, Maria O. Edelen, John C. Markowitz, Charles A. Sanislow, Shirley Yen, Mary C. Zanarini, Andrew E. Skodol, M. Tracie Shea, Leslie C. Morey, John G. Gunderson, Thomas H. Mcglashan, Carlos M. Grilo

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

Background. This study prospectively examined the natural clinical course of six anxiety disorders over 7 years of follow-up in individuals with personality disorders (PDs) and/or major depressive disorder. Rates of remission, relapse, new episode onset and chronicity of anxiety disorders were examined for specific associations with PDs.

Method. Participants were 499 patients with anxiety disorders in the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study, who were assessed with structured interviews for psychiatric disorders at yearly intervals throughout 7 years of follow-up. These data were used to determine probabilities of changes in disorder status for social phobia (SP), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive …

Achieving Peak Professional Performance Using “Personal Foundation System”, Raman Attri

Raman K. Attri

PFS is a powerful self-leadership model which transforms moderately able professionals into peak performer without having to change their personality. PFS is built using powerful techniques from systems engineering, performance based training, human performance technology and innovative Realism Theory of Leadership.

Driving Forces: Police Fatalities, Carol Servino

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA) (2010 - 2017)

Law enforcement is an inherently risky occupation. The number of traffic-related fatalities for law enforcement officers in the U.S. during the past 13 years has been increasing; however, the number of fatalities for the general population in motor vehicle traffic incidents declined during the same time period.

The federal government reports that federal motor vehicle safety standards aswell as behavioral and vehicle safety programs implemented by state and local law-enforcement agencies contributed to the downward trend for the general public.

What accounts for the pattern and problem with police driving-related deaths?

Decision-Making Techniques Used By Elected Officials, Michael Gordon

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA) (2010 - 2017)

Politicians often make decisions that lead to contradictory outcomes from situations with seemingly similar circumstances and related factors. Recent examples include the U.S. reaction to the uprising in Iran contrasted with the call for the ousting of president Hosni Mubarak after the 18 Day Revolution in Egypt.

This frustrating reality, frequently based on perceived risks of publication of state secrets, has various far-reaching effects. Two effects of this reality include the loss of trust in government and government officials to do the right thing as well as the frequency of market fluctuations.

The Semiotics Of Sexual Identity: Myth Vs. History, Mackenzie Schroth

Honors Projects in English and Cultural Studies

In this project, I argue that gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) students majoring in liberal arts have a higher likelihood of being out and of feeling confident in their identity and manner of self-expression. On the other hand, GLB students majoring in business-related fields are more likely to either be closeted or to fit a very defined, stereotyped gay identity. I test my hypothesis by conducting a semiotic analysis of sexual identity and by looking to the history of sexual identity categories. I also survey and interview various students, both liberal arts and business majors, to determine their perceptions about …

Relationships Among Heart Rate Monitor Usage, Neuroticism, And Performance In Triathletes, Matthew Galluzzo

Honors Projects in Applied Psychology

Triathlon, a sport that consists of swimming, biking and running, is growing in popularity throughout the country and the world. There is a large percentage of athletes that rely on the use of a heart rate monitor to gauge effort, but there is also a group of athletes that do not use this technology. The purpose of this research was to determine if personality, specifically neuroticism, played a role in determining which athletes use heart rate monitors and whether these variables had any effect on performance. Ninety-eight triathletes were surveyed from 2 half iron distance triathlons in the summer of …

Facebook Profiles And Usage As Indicators Of Personality, Erica Dawson

Honors Projects in Applied Psychology

The online social networking website, Facebook, has greatly changed the way the world communicates. Face-to-face interactions have been replaced by wall posts, status updates and friends liking posts or leaving comments. This study looks at how certain cues on Facebook profiles relate to personality traits, specifically, extraversion, conscientiousness and emotional stability. Three hypotheses focused on profile photos and how frequently the users change their photo. I predicted that 1) extraversion scores would be higher for participants who use a party scene as their profile photo, 2) conscientiousness scores would be lower for these same participants, and 3) the emotional stability …

Collaborative Dialogues And L2 Learning: Korean Junior High School Students' Pair-Work In English Composition, Hyo-Sun Seo, Tae-Young Kim Dr.

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This classroom-based study investigates the relationship between collaborative dialogues and L2 development working in pairs on a collaborative writing task. Specifically, this study focuses on how the students’ pair talk exerted a positive influence on their L2 development. Over a six-week period, three pairs with differing levels of L2 proficiency engaged in a two-stage task: pair writing and individual writing. After the task completion, the six participants were interviewed individually. In order to identify the patterns of prominent pair interaction, the participants’ pair talks were transcribed and analyzed qualitatively in language-related episodes (LREs). The findings suggested that the patterns of …

The L2 Motivational Self System And Perceptual Learning Styles Of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, And Swedish Students, Jin-Suk Yang, Tae-Young Kim Dr.

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This paper explores the perceptual learning style, ideal L2 self, and motivated L2 behavior of Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, and Swedish high school students. Guided by Dörnyei’s (2005, 2009a) L2 motivational self system, this quantitative study extends Al-Shehri’s (2009) and Tae-Young Kim’s (2009a) research by reinterpreting the role of perceptual learning styles in the creation of learners’ ideal L2 self and the maintenance of their motivated L2 behavior. The statistical analysis found that learners’ perceptual learning styles (i.e., visual, auditory, and kinesthetic styles) were significantly correlated with their ideal L2 self and motivated L2 behavior. However, the results of the …

The Effect Of Korean Secondary School Students' Perceptual Learning Styles And Ideal L2 Self On Motivated L2 Behavior And English Proficiency, Yoon-Kyoung Kim, Tae-Young Kim Dr.

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

In this study, 495 Korean secondary school students' visual, auditory, and kinesthetic preferences, ideal L2 self, motivated L2 behavior, and English proficiency were analyzed based on questionnaire surveys. Identifying possible effect of the participants' perceptual learning styles and ideal L2 self on their motivated L2 behavior was followed by an investigation of all variables' impact on English proficiency. The influence of the visual learning style and the ideal L2 self on motivated L2 behavior indicates that the students' visual style preference contributes strongly to the forming of a vivid ideal L2 self, which in turn results in a higher level …

An Activity Theory Analysis Of L2 Motivational Self-System: A Case Study Of Korean Esl Learners, Tae-Young Kim Dr.

Dr. Tae-Young Kim (김태영, 金兌英)

This study makes theoretical refinements by re-interpreting L2 motivational self-system from an Activity Theory (AT) perspective. I analyze longitudinal data obtained from four Korean ESL learners in Toronto. The findings suggest that the dynamism in ESL motivation can be systematically explained by longitudinal AT system models with L2 motivational self-system.

Adolescent Use Of Social Networking Sites And Internet Safety, Mary Kate Whitcomb

Psychology and Child Development

The use of computers and the Internet continue to increase, especially by children and adolescents. Approximately 40% of adolescents access social networking sites in a typical day and spend on average 54 minutes on the sites (Rideout, Foehr, & Roberts, 2010). Social networking sites, such as Facebook, allow users to provide personal information, continually update information, post images, and communicate with friends. Due to an increase in availability, media has become greatly related to the socialization of adolescents. Identity formation is a major component of adolescence and social networking sites are a realm in which adolescents can explore and express …