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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

The Impact Of Crime Outcomes On Public Opinions On Sentencing: In Particular Regards To Recent "One Punch" Legislation, Teneke Kuek Jan 2010

The Impact Of Crime Outcomes On Public Opinions On Sentencing: In Particular Regards To Recent "One Punch" Legislation, Teneke Kuek

Theses : Honours

Australia has recently experienced a punitive swing in sentencing policies and legislation. Consequently, politicians have responded favourably to popular demands for harsher sentencing. A comprehensive review of the current literature has been undertaken to understand why the community has adopted such a punitive position. It has been suggested that the media have hypersensitised the public into believing that crime is much more prevalent than it actually is, resulting in the individual fearing becoming a victim of crime. The public then chooses to elect politicians who appear to be concerned with their safety and the associated legislation. Expectancy/value theory contends that …


Experiences And Perceptions Of How Community-Based Interventions Can Promote Young Adults' Resilience To Suicide Within Rural/Regional Communities, Tracy Evans Jan 2010

Experiences And Perceptions Of How Community-Based Interventions Can Promote Young Adults' Resilience To Suicide Within Rural/Regional Communities, Tracy Evans

Theses : Honours

In the literature, both statistics and studies have noted that suicide in rural/regional young adults' is an important concern. Recent research suggests, that to facilitate a primary approach to suicide prevention in young people, there is a need to promote the protective construct of resilience at a community level, highlighting strategies such as connectedness, and decreasing the stigma related to mental illness and health-seeking behaviour (Commonwealth Department of Health & Aged Care, 2005; Injury Control Council of Western Australia, 2006). However, there is a need to investigate and identify the links or mediating factors that promote individual resilience within a …


Public Opinion On The Sentencing Of Mentally Ill Female Offenders; Factors That Influence People's Perceptions Of Appropriate Punishments And The Impact Of Personal Experience On Sentencing Judgements, Claire Adams Jan 2010

Public Opinion On The Sentencing Of Mentally Ill Female Offenders; Factors That Influence People's Perceptions Of Appropriate Punishments And The Impact Of Personal Experience On Sentencing Judgements, Claire Adams

Theses : Honours

The aim of the current study was to explore public opinion on mentally ill female offenders in Western Australia, and the influence of these views on sentencing decisions. This study aimed to determine whether the mental health of a female offender influenced how people view a crime and the punishment they consider most appropriate for an offender. In addition, it aimed to investigate whether knowing someone with a mental illness influences people's perception of a crime and the sentencing decisions favoured for a mentally ill female offender. The study involved a between-subjects design comprising 118 participants, who received one version …


Terrorism In Australia: Myth Or Reality? A Psychometric Study Into The Western Australian Public's Perception Of Terrorism, Richard Sargent Jan 2010

Terrorism In Australia: Myth Or Reality? A Psychometric Study Into The Western Australian Public's Perception Of Terrorism, Richard Sargent

Theses : Honours

Terrorism is not a new concept as terrorist individuals and organisations since time immemorial have used the threat of violence or actual violence to generate fear in individuals, organisations and governments alike. Fear is a powerful weapon and it is used in order to gain political, ideological or religious objectives. The attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon on the 11th September 2001 (9/11) highlighted the dangers of the inadequate intelligence, border security and immigration practices that led to this event. The attacks were a security wake up call not only for the United States of America but …


Fear Of Terrorism: Legislation And Perceived Loss Of Civil Liberties, Finola Richardson Jan 2010

Fear Of Terrorism: Legislation And Perceived Loss Of Civil Liberties, Finola Richardson

Theses : Honours

Terrorism is a fear-inducing element of the current Australian political agenda. There are concerns about counter-terrorism legislation employed in Australian since the September 11th attacks on the United States, (9/11) and the effects these laws have on the civil liberties of Australian citizens. The literature presents two views one identifies the low risk of terrorism in Australia as no justification for strict new legislation. An alternative claim is increased security following 9/11 is essential in ensuring Australia is not viewed as a 'soft target'. The psychological experience of fear following terrorist attacks can influence the public's response to Government initiatives …


An Examination Of The Influence Of Gender In Juvenile Offending, Patterns Of Crime, Sentencing And Public Opinion. An Exploratory Study Of Public Opinion On The Sentencing Of Male And Female Juvenile Offenders And An Examination Of The Respondents Gender, Sarah J. Welch Jan 2008

An Examination Of The Influence Of Gender In Juvenile Offending, Patterns Of Crime, Sentencing And Public Opinion. An Exploratory Study Of Public Opinion On The Sentencing Of Male And Female Juvenile Offenders And An Examination Of The Respondents Gender, Sarah J. Welch

Theses : Honours

The aim of this literature review was to examine public perception of juvenile crimes, laws and sentencing practices to address whether the public were content with current punishments. It also observed the methodological issues with public opinion survey research to see whether these may influence the belief that the laws and sentencing practices were inconsistent with how the public wanted juveniles to be punished. The review also examined whether the gender of the juvenile offender influenced the types of crimes committed and the types of punishments sanctioned by the courts. Additionally, it observed whether the demographics of the respondent, victim …


Exploration Of The Authentic Apology Theory: An Examination Of The Reasons Why People Reject An Apology, Stephenie Bruce Jan 2008

Exploration Of The Authentic Apology Theory: An Examination Of The Reasons Why People Reject An Apology, Stephenie Bruce

Theses : Honours

The aim of the present literature review was to explore the reasons why people reject an apology. A search of the literature revealed virtually no research focusing specifically on apology rejection, therefore, it was proposed that this lack of research may be due to the general reluctance of apology recipients to respond with rejection (Bennett & Dewberry, 1994; Bennett & Earwaker, 1994; Risen & Gilovich, 2007). Given the dearth of literature on apology rejection, it was imperative that the review also examined the literature on apology in general, in addition to literature on apology and forgiveness, in order to discover …


Attitudes Towards Depression And Anxiety, Tiana Hankins Jan 2007

Attitudes Towards Depression And Anxiety, Tiana Hankins

Theses : Honours

The overall aim of the present paper is to review the literature surrounding attitudes towards mental health, with a specific focus on attitudes towards depression and anxiety. This paper discusses the concept of attitudes, their nature and measurement. This is followed by a review of attitudes towards mental health, with a number of studies being examined and their results discussed. Research has found that the general public has negative attitudes towards people with mental illness; however research has also found that these negative attitudes are improving due to an increase in education and awareness surrounding mental health. The two attitude …


Perceptions Of Security And Attitudes Towards Cultural Diversity And Immigration Amongst Uk Migrants In Western Australia, Nikki Isaacson Jan 2007

Perceptions Of Security And Attitudes Towards Cultural Diversity And Immigration Amongst Uk Migrants In Western Australia, Nikki Isaacson

Theses : Honours

Psychological research conducted within the field of ethnic relations has revealed a strong relationship between an individual's perception of threat to their ethnocultural group and their attitudes towards the entrance and presence of other ethnocultural groups within a society. The relationship is such that the greater threat that an individual perceives, the more likely they are to hold negative attitudes. This paper provides a review of research that has investigated this relationship; revealing that although a distinct negative correlation exists between perceived threat and intercultural attitudes, a number of factors influence the relationship. Factors discussed throughout this review include the …


Mothers' Social Framing, Frequency Of Mother-Child Conversations About Peers, And Preschool Aged Children's Attribution Tendencies, Lisa Lemme Jan 2005

Mothers' Social Framing, Frequency Of Mother-Child Conversations About Peers, And Preschool Aged Children's Attribution Tendencies, Lisa Lemme

Theses : Honours

In an attempt to fill a gap in the social information processing literature, the present study investigated whether mother-child communication is related to children's attribution tendencies in ambiguous, negative social situations. Measures of mothers' social framing, frequency of mother-child conversations about peers, and children's hostile attributions of intent were scored for 45 mother-child dyads. The results showed that mothers' social framing was a key predictor of preschool children's attribution tendencies. However, frequency of mother-child conversations about peers was not a significant predictor of preschool children's attribution tendencies. Overall, the results of this study provide support for mothers' social framing as …


Construction Of Male Identity : The Relationship Between Cancer Support Groups And Identity For Men Who Are Living With Cancer, Kathryn M. Chegwidden Jan 2004

Construction Of Male Identity : The Relationship Between Cancer Support Groups And Identity For Men Who Are Living With Cancer, Kathryn M. Chegwidden

Theses : Honours

A diagnosis of cancer may have many meanings for a man in terms of the impact that cancer has on various aspects of his life, including his identity as a man. Subsequent membership of a cancer support group may support men negotiating their changing identity. A review of the relevant literature examines the impact of cancer and its treatments for men, and the various changes resulting from men's experiences with cancer and cancer treatments. An overview of support groups, their function, composition, and benefits is provided with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of professional and member facilitated cancer …


The Sources And Nature Of Social Representations In A Multicultural Peer Group : Implications For Friendship And Inter-Group Relationships, Christina Callow Jan 2004

The Sources And Nature Of Social Representations In A Multicultural Peer Group : Implications For Friendship And Inter-Group Relationships, Christina Callow

Theses : Honours

The historical, political and social nature of Australian society provides a backdrop for the ways in which exclusion and inclusion are perpetuated. It is from within this context adolescent identity development and relationship formation occurs. While there is a wealth of literature focussing on inter-group relationships and adolescent development, very little research has focussed on the implications of the wider context on everyday social knowledge, or social representations, held by adolescents in a multicultural peer group. Using social representation theory, this study investigated the social representations adolescents held in relation to ethnic, cultural and national identity. It also investigated the …


An Exploration Of The Impact Of The Family Court Process On 'Invisible' Stepparents, Natalie Gately Jan 2004

An Exploration Of The Impact Of The Family Court Process On 'Invisible' Stepparents, Natalie Gately

Theses : Honours

The increase of divorce in Australia is creating a social phenomenon for family researchers. Many families resolve disputes regarding children in the Family Courts, however due to the protracted litigation process many partners will have repartnered. Little is understood about how bureaucratic systems impact upon the experience of stepparents. These decisions might very well impact on the stepparents own new lifestyle and relationship, placing an additional burden on themselves and the stepfamily. The purpose of this review is to explore the literature pertaining to the issues surrounding repartnering and the Family Court process in order to illustrate how this invisibility …


Substance Using Women : The Social Meaning Of Substance Use For Using Women And The Negotiation Of Identities, H. Suzanne Mackeith Jan 2004

Substance Using Women : The Social Meaning Of Substance Use For Using Women And The Negotiation Of Identities, H. Suzanne Mackeith

Theses : Honours

This thesis is framed as an inquiry into the attitudes and experiences of women to their use of psychoactive substances and the contribution that use makes to their construction of gendered identities and meanings they derive from their use. The thesis also explores how these meanings relate to, and contrast or concur with, wider social attitudes relating to ‘feminine’ identity, issues of resistance and control, self control, happiness, independence and dependence, social roles and relationships, risk-taking and safety. The thesis aims to contribute to feminist understandings concerning substance use and to add a feminist interpretative voice to the alcohol, tobacco …


An Exploration Of Psychological Sense Of Community In Western Australian School Children Aged 7-8 Years, Debra K. Roberts Jan 2003

An Exploration Of Psychological Sense Of Community In Western Australian School Children Aged 7-8 Years, Debra K. Roberts

Theses : Honours

The current exploratory study examined Psychological Sense of Community (PSOC) in 16 Western Australian school children, between the ages of seven and eight from two schools in the Perth metropolitan region. The aim was to identify whether young children understand the concept of PSOC, within their school environment. A qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews was employed. Questions were generated based on the Neighbourhood Youth Inventory (NYI) and the Sense of Community Index (SCI), as a measure of children's PSOC in their school environment. A thematic content analysis was performed using a question ordered matrix, to compile common themes and meanings …


The Impact Of Television Reports Of Prison Escapes On Anxiety : A Comparison Of Two Age Cohorts, Sofia Fisher Jan 2002

The Impact Of Television Reports Of Prison Escapes On Anxiety : A Comparison Of Two Age Cohorts, Sofia Fisher

Theses : Honours

Television has been identified as being a major contributor to anxiety and fear of crime. The major aim of this study was to compare the level of state anxiety experienced individuals after viewing one of three versions of a television report related to prison escapes. The second aim was to determine if there were any differences in levels of anxiety between two age cohorts: middle-aged (35-45 years) and older-aged (65-75 years). A total of 120 participants were recruited using a snowball technique and randomly assigned to one of three groups using a lottery method. Participants completed demographic and attitudinal questionnaires, …


Peer Social Networks After The Transition To Secondary School : Adolescents' Perspectives, Angela E. Rowland Jan 2002

Peer Social Networks After The Transition To Secondary School : Adolescents' Perspectives, Angela E. Rowland

Theses : Honours

The transition from primary to secondary school has a considerable impact upon the social and academic lives of adolescents. An adolescent's sense of belonging (SoB) is important for determining school satisfaction and success during this transition. As SoB is partly developed through an individual's peer social network, this study explored the peer social networks for adolescents who have a SoB. Using the Psychological Sense of School Membership (PSSM) scale (Goodenow, 1993a), five females and three males with a high SoB completed sociological maps and participated in interviews in order to determine the structure and function of their peer social networks. …


Psychological Sense Of Community : Adolescents' Response To Exclusion, Sharon J. Van Der Graaf Jan 2001

Psychological Sense Of Community : Adolescents' Response To Exclusion, Sharon J. Van Der Graaf

Theses : Honours

Since modernisation in western society, a number of changes have had a strong influence on the life of Adolescents'. This review examines adolescent development, particularly social role and identity formation, in relation to a changing social environment A brief historical overview is outlined to highlight how economic, political, and social changes have impacted on the development of the life phase, adolescence. The gap between childhood and adulthood is then defined to conceptualise adolescence as a social construction resulting from social changes. Social role and identity formation, and adolescent well-being are then addressed in response to social change. Factors including puberty, …


The Influence Of Perceived Family Environment On Adolescent Leisure Behaviour, Cath Price Jan 2001

The Influence Of Perceived Family Environment On Adolescent Leisure Behaviour, Cath Price

Theses : Honours

It has been claimed by many that the family environment is a source of influence for child and adolescent behaviour (Hendry, 1983). Research questions were asked to find out if, and to what extent, the family environment {as perceived by the adolescent) determines the adolescent's leisure participation, with whom these pursuits are carried out, and the satisfaction gained from these pursuits. Questionnaires containing measures of leisure participation, with whom they participate, and leisure satisfaction plus the Family Environment Scale (FES) Form R were administered to 313 students between 13 to 16 years of age in a Perth metropolitan state high …


The Perception Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Values : Is Value Incongruence Related To Social Distance?, Lauren Jennifer Breen Jan 1999

The Perception Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Values : Is Value Incongruence Related To Social Distance?, Lauren Jennifer Breen

Theses : Honours

This review examines prejudicial actions directed towards outgroups as a function of personal values and the perception of the values held by other groups. Prejudice is a result of social and cognitive categorisation. Although it is well learned, prejudice is not inevitable, if individuals attend to and control their prejudicial thoughts. Pleasurable interaction, cooperation, equal status, and making humanitarian values conspicuous serve to reduce intergroup conflict. It was proposed that values motivate approach and avoidance behaviours directed at outgroups, and both belief congruence theory and expectance-value theory arc relevant in explaining such behaviour.


Pink And Blue See Red Differently: Influences Of Gender, Gender Role And Gender Of The Target On Anger Experience And Expression, Darryl George Milovchevich Jan 1997

Pink And Blue See Red Differently: Influences Of Gender, Gender Role And Gender Of The Target On Anger Experience And Expression, Darryl George Milovchevich

Theses : Honours

Anger is a commonly experienced emotion popularly thought to differ for men and women. However, because of definitional confusion and methodological limitations, there has been little useful empirical exploration of these differences. Current research findings on anger have, further, been limited by being based on non-random convenience samples of students and clinical populations. Research has produced inconclusive evidence for the effect of gender differences on measures of anger. Gender role identification has been identified as possible influencing factor. In the current study, the author drew a random sample from the general population of a small Australian city. Participants (n = …


Influence Of Culture On Intergenerational Conflict : A Comparative Study Of Burmese Adolescents, Immigrant Burmese Adolescents, And Anglo-Australian Adolescents, Romana Lee Jan 1997

Influence Of Culture On Intergenerational Conflict : A Comparative Study Of Burmese Adolescents, Immigrant Burmese Adolescents, And Anglo-Australian Adolescents, Romana Lee

Theses : Honours

Is there a difference, in the level of conflict with parents, that migrant adolescents experience in comparison to that of non-migrant adolescents? According to the literature, adolescents and their parents in the minority cultural groups are likely to experience high levels of conflict which may result from conflicting cultural norms (Rosenthal, 1984; Ghuman, 1975, Di J\.1arco, 1974, and Phinney, I 996). The present study was conducted with a sample of Burmese adolescents from Rangoon (Myamar), a sample of migrant Burmese adolescents from Perth (Western Australia), and a sample of Anglo-Australian adolescents also from Perth, to investigate age, gender and cultural …


Trial By Anxiety : Effects Of Nervous Demeanour And Level Of Evidence On Mock Jurors' Decisions, Michael Miller Jan 1997

Trial By Anxiety : Effects Of Nervous Demeanour And Level Of Evidence On Mock Jurors' Decisions, Michael Miller

Theses : Honours

Pryor and Buchanan (1984), using participants drawn from jury venires, showed that persons exhibiting a moderately anxious demeanour were found guilty more often than those with a low anxiety demeanour when evidence presented was balanced. In a study that used three levels of evidence (pro-acquittal, balanced and pro-conviction) and two levels of demeanour (apparently deceptive and control) Hendry, Schaffer and Peacock (1989) found that the demeanour bias only occurred at the pro-acquittal level of evidence. They had not used a criminal offence and did not provide judges instructions. Additionally conviction rates at all levels of evidence in the control condition …


The Relationship Between Global Self-Concept And Attribution Preference In Primary School Children, Carolyn Moore Jan 1997

The Relationship Between Global Self-Concept And Attribution Preference In Primary School Children, Carolyn Moore

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to compare low and high self-concept students to ascertain whether they differ in the causes they attribute to their performance on a problem-solving task. The relationships of gender to self-concept and gender to attribution preference were also examined. This study differed from previous studies examining relationships with causal attributions by focusing on students' attribution preferences for a task with an equivocal outcome as opposed to tasks with success and failure outcomes. Eighty-two year seven students from four Perth metropolitan primary schools participated in this study. The study was conducted using a 2 x 2 …


Nonresidential Father Perception Of Father-Child Relationships: An Exploratory Analysis Of Family Functioning, Wendy J. Nicholls Jan 1996

Nonresidential Father Perception Of Father-Child Relationships: An Exploratory Analysis Of Family Functioning, Wendy J. Nicholls

Theses : Honours

Nonresidential father experiences of family life with their children lack attention in the literature. Nonresidential fathers often suffer considerably, as they attempt to continue their parenting role with limited access lime. Consequently, their relationships with their children may suffer, sometimes resulting in visitation ceasing altogether. Father contact is important to the developmental and psychological well-being of children, yet is often hindered by restricted access, distance, parental conflict and the father's emotional state. Nonresidential father perspectives of family life with their children are explored in this study, to gain insight into nonresidential father experiences. This study replicated a study conducted by …


Attributions Of Negative Partner Behaviour By Men Who Physically Abuse Their Partners, Santina Tonizzo Jan 1996

Attributions Of Negative Partner Behaviour By Men Who Physically Abuse Their Partners, Santina Tonizzo

Theses : Honours

Conflict in close relationships is associated with specific patterns of attributions (Bradbury & Fincham 1990). The objective of this study was to investigate If violence would be associated with particular type of attributions made for negative partner behaviours. Three groups of men were classified using the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS; Straus, 1979) as physically violent (in Domestic Violence Intervention Progams), (n = 19), non-physically violent in (counselling), ( n = 17), and non-physically violent in the (community), (n = 31 ). The Relationship Attribution Measure (RAM) by Fincham & Bradbury, ( 1992) was used to assess the attributional dependent variables …


An Examination Of The Influence Of Court Interpreters Upon Attributions Of Defendant And Plaintiff Culpability, Grace Frances Jan 1996

An Examination Of The Influence Of Court Interpreters Upon Attributions Of Defendant And Plaintiff Culpability, Grace Frances

Theses : Honours

An expressed reluctance of the courts to employ interpreters has been challenged on the basis that a failure to provide such assistance to the Non-English Speaking (NES) witness contravenes the principles of natural justice. Further, NES defendants risk being misunderstood and incapacitated in their ability to effectively communicate the intended meaning of the evidence they are giving. In order to determine whether the presence of an interpreter exerts influence upon attributions of culpability given to a NES defendant, it was .important to identify whether evaluations were based on the interpreter's presence or on the defendant's ethnicity. Therefore, three trial conditions …


Exploring Young Children's Knowledge Of Their Social Network, Their Social Competence, And Links To Their Social Behaviour, Natalie C. Leitao Jan 1995

Exploring Young Children's Knowledge Of Their Social Network, Their Social Competence, And Links To Their Social Behaviour, Natalie C. Leitao

Theses : Honours

The primary focus of this study is to explore young children's knowledge of their social network and their social competence and the links with their social behaviour. The secondary focus is to investigate ways in which young children may be helped to articulate such knowledge. The six participants were pairs of five-year old children selected from three pre-primary classes located in a common school. Each pair comprised a socially able and a less socially able child as selected by their class teacher. Self-reports, dialogue-interviews, video-taped vignettes and dolls were used to help the participants talk about their knowledge of their …


Raising School-Age Children With Attention Deficit Disorder (Adhd): Effects On Mothers, Pearl Proud Jan 1994

Raising School-Age Children With Attention Deficit Disorder (Adhd): Effects On Mothers, Pearl Proud

Theses : Honours

The study used mothers of children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD) Type I and Type II or a combination of both to investigate whether support group membership was beneficial to the mothers in terms of stress, self -efficacy and perceived social support. A accidental and purposive sample of 143 subject with an age range of 21 to 50 participated in the study. The participants completed a questionnaire which comprised a stress measure, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES), and the Parental Support Scale (PSS) which has the Satisfaction with Perceived Social Support and the Network Size …


The Motivational Bases Of Attitudes To Living North And South Of The Swan River, Darren L. Reynolds Jan 1993

The Motivational Bases Of Attitudes To Living North And South Of The Swan River, Darren L. Reynolds

Theses : Honours

Previous approaches to the study of motivation within the domain of place were found to be disparate, and in need of a firm theoretical framework and appropriate methodology. With the exception of Korpela's (1989) model of place identity, the issues of motivation and operationalization of other theoretical perspectives, (e.g., Proshansky, Fabian, and Kaminoff; 1983) have led to a sparse research base in the area of place. Recent developments in attitude theory ( Herek, 1986; 1987; Zanna & Rempel, 1988) and attitude model development (Hills, 1991) were then applied to the place domain A tripartite model of the motivational bases of …