Psychology Commons^™

The Use Of Postural Aggression In Intimate Partner Relationships: What Is It And Is It Being Recognized As "Abuse" By Intimate Partners, Elizabeth Gentry Myers

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The use of aggression towards an intimate partner has been an increasingly concerning topic in the violence literature over the last five decades; however, many dimensions continue to lack clarity. Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains the most common form of violence committed against women worldwide with about 30% of women reporting a lifetime prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence by a partner (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019), often accompanied by psychological aggression (Larsen, 2016; Williams et al., 2012). Postural aggression is defined as a subtype of psychological aggression which consists of both direct and indirect forms of non-physical abuse; although, …

Professional Development For The West Virginia School Psychologists Association, Andrea Nunn

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The present study evaluated the professional development provided by the West Virginia School Psychologists Association (WVSPA) in 2016. A 2011 survey was revised and distributed to all members of the WVSPA. West Virginia school psychologists rated the overall WVSPA’s professional development for the last few years as ‘good’. Participants rated WVSPA services as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ with the exception of the resources available through the WVSPA website. Most participants rated this area as ‘fair’, showing that it would be a major recommendation for WVSPA revision. In addition, topics suggested as needing more coverage in future conferences include: emotional behavioral disorder, …

The Influence Of Sibling Presence On Grade Point Average, Amanda Joanne Kipp

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Using archival data from schools in southeastern Ohio, this paper explores the idea that the GPA of students will be affected when a sibling resides in the home compared to students who do not have a sibling in the home. The study explored whether having an older sibling affects the GPA of a student more than that of a younger sibling. Finally, the study examined whether an older male sibling has an affect on the student’s GPA more than an older female sibling. The results showed that having a sibling in the home does not affect the GPA of a …

Traumatic Brain Injury: The Relationship Of Psychosocial Variables And Location Of Injury To Post-Injury Depression, Alicia L. Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects nearly 1.4 million people in the United States annually, and of these, 10% to 77% will experience post-injury depression. Psychosocial variables such as previous substance and alcohol abuse, prior mental illness, low educational attainment, and poverty have been identified as possible risk factors. Additionally, the location of injury appears to play a key role particularly if the injury occurs in the left hemisphere. This study examined archival data from brain-injured patients in an effort to better understand the factors related to post-TBI depression. Past medical records of brain-injured adults (N = 52) were reviewed …

Examining Social Anxiety And Depression Among Excessive Online Gamers, Nathan Sharer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The main purpose of this study was to examine the correlations between social anxiety, depression, and other psychological factors among online gamers in order to better understand the differences between excessive gamers (whose habits interfere with relationship, occupational, social, or health issues) and enthusiastic gamers (who spend much of their free time playing games but do not report any significant functional impairment as a result). A literature review revealed diverse conceptualizations of excessive gaming as well as differing opinions of what classifies gaming to be excessive/addicting/problematic, suggesting a need to more specifically analyze gaming habits in terms of coexisting pathology …

Emotional Intelligence And Team Cohesiveness, Myra M. Beam

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Emotional Intelligence is generally defined as encompassing the awareness and understanding of emotions. Emotional Intelligence also incorporates the application of this understanding to decision making, regulation, and self-management. Many theorists have shown that Emotional Intelligence has a significant positive impact on various aspects of teamwork. Today, more companies and organizations use teamwork to solve problems and complete tasks, so exploring elements that enhance teamwork would be beneficial.

This study was designed to support the notion that Emotional Intelligence is an integral part of teamwork. It was hypothesized that Emotional Intelligence has an impact on teamwork by making the team more …

Effects Of A Universal Positive Behavior Intervention On School-Wide Behavior, Kelly Renae Tanner

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examines the effects of a positive behavior intervention on the behavior of students in a single elementary school located in a rural area of West Virgina. A Single Group Pretest-Treatment-Posttest Design was utilized with the frequency of Office Discipline Referrals (ODR’s) as the dependent variable. Data were analyzed using the Chi Square statistic. Results showed no significant difference in pre-treatment and post-treatment conditions.

Gender Differences In The Prevalence Rates Of Self-Injury Among Individuals Who Suppress Thoughts, Kristina Isaacs

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A previous study (Najmi, Wegner, & Nock, 2007) has concluded that thought suppression and self-injury are related. Gender differences have been contradictory among those who self-injure. However, it has been found that females score higher than males on thought suppression scales (Wegner & Zanakos, 1994). Based on these findings, it was hypothesized that females would suppress their thoughts more than males. It was also hypothesized that females who suppress their thoughts would think about and engage in self-injury more than males who suppress their thoughts. Participants completed both the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behavior Interview (SITBI) and the White Bear Suppression …

Aggression To Gain Social Status: An Examination Of Middle And High School Females, Neely Snead Harvey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The current study examined which type of aggression middle and high school females used most: indirect or direct aggression. Popularity (social standing) was also examined in order to help determine whether or not a female’s popularity was increased or decreased by which type of aggression, if any, she used the most. It was hypothesized that popular females used indirect aggression more than non-popular peers. Thirty participants were selected from grades seven through twelve at a rural combined middle/high school in Monongalia County, West Virginia. Participants were asked to nominate two popular and two unpopular females. Next, participants completed an aggression …

Childhood Obesity And Depression, Leslie N. Horton

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Obesity is a commonly experienced health issue. Children who suffer from obesity may experience medical concerns such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension (American Obesity Association, 2006). Obese children may also face psychological consequences. An overweight child may experience criticism from peers while finding it difficult to participate in age-related activities. Considering this fact, one can understand why psychological effects of childhood obesity are of concern. The purpose of this study is to examine the links between obesity and childhood depression, rated by the Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI-2). Twenty-nine children were administered the CDI-2. Activity level and age of children …

The Effects Of Response To Intervention On Referral Rates For Special Education Services, Christina Hare

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

It has been hypothesized in the literature that a Response to Intervention (RtI) model will reduce the number of referrals for special education services. The purpose of this study was to compare the number of special education referrals prior to the implementation of the West Virginia Department of Education pilot RtI project and the rates of referrals for special education services in the years following its implementation. Data was collected from two of the eleven pilot schools and analyzed collectively using a Chi-Square test. Results of this study showed that the RtI pilot project did not have a significant impact …

Evaluation Of The Marshall University School Psychology Internship Experience, Carolee S. Richards

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Parental satisfaction of 16 students completing an internship through the Marshall University School Psychology Graduate Program was evaluated in the current study. Surveys consisting of ten questions related to services offered by the School Psychology Intern during the Special Education eligibility process were provided to parents during the last five eligibility meetings conducted by each intern. Descriptive statistics as well as qualitative data were utilized to determine whether or not parents were generally satisfied with services being offered by the intern. These results were compared to data collected by Debra Henderson during the summer practicum attended by the same interns …

Differences In Self-Esteem Between Genders: A Look At Middle School, Beth S. Michael

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Most theorists suggest that the developement of self-esteem is found through interactions and experiences. However, these experiences may greatly differ between males and females in early adolescence because of developmental differences between the genders. Socialization may also play an important role in the self-esteem differences between genders. Overall, males and females have different developmental levels at the middle school age. Early or late development may impact the adolescent's self-esteem. This study will examine the differences in self-esteem between genders in middle school adolescents.

Prevalence Of A Looming Maladaptive Style As A Cognitive Vulnerability To Anxiety In Rural Populations, Caleb P. Rose

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The present study attempted to find a global cognitive style among rural populations suggesting that threatening situations are seen as rapidly rising in risk, progressively worsening, or actively accelerating and speeding up. Participants completed a battery of anonymous questionnaires including a non-identifying demographics questionnaire and commonly used, published psychological assessments which measure anxiety, depression, worry, perception of negative life events, and looming vulnerability to anxiety. It was predicted that demographic variables, such as socioeconomic status, rural/non-rural status, and experience with natural disasters, will predict anxiety, which, in turn, would predict scores on the measures of anxiety, depression, and cognitive style. …

Identifying At Risk Youth For Delinquency In Southern West Virginia, Roderick Q. Neal

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Juvenile delinquency has been an important area of study. Academics, practitioners, politicians, and legal scholars have devoted their attention to basic questions about the nature of youth crime. This report was designed to identify which psychological and social variables are statistically reliable predictors of significant juvenile delinquency in southern West Virginia. In an effort to identify at risk youth, 200 subjects were administered a 16-question survey. This survey had a mixture of continuous and categorical psychological and social variables and the data was analyzed using Logistic Regression strategies. One hundred of the subjects had been referred to a juvenile probation …

A Social/Cognitive View Of Leaders With Visible Disabilities, George Adkins Jr.

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The present investigation examined the influence applicant disability status has on perceptions of leadership style, leadership potential and leadership behavior. 165 (78 females and 73 males and 14 people choosing not to disclose their age) undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Psychology courses were randomly assigned to one of three applicant disability status conditions (Non-Disabled, Visually Impaired, and Applicant Needing the use of a Wheelchair) and were asked to provide ratings that reflected their perceptions of the leadership style, leadership skills, and leadership behaviors likely to be exhibited by the applicant on the job. Participants used the Least Preferred Coworker …

The Fear Of Femininity Vs. The Fear Of Death And Attitudes Towards Lesbians And Gay Men, Timothy Andrew Caswell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Decades of research on attitudes toward non-heterosexuals has found that heterosexual males are significantly more negative towards gay men than lesbians, while females generally have similar attitudes toward both. Using a terror management research design, the current research investigates the influence of the fear of femininity and the fear of mortality on attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. Two hundred forty-seven introductory psychology students were primed to fear their own mortality, their femininity or masculinity, or dental pain. Sexual prejudice scores were consistent with prior research, but the findings were not consistent with either a mortality salience effect or femininity …

Selling With A Visual Aid, Michelle Fields

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Many have pondered the key to delivering an effective speech. Speculation ranges from what one wears to the tone of voice used to how the speech is outlined. No matter the opinion, most agree that visual aids are key to getting and keeping the attention of your audience. Visual aids can add interest, clarity, and drama to a presentation (Pollock, 2000). Clearly, all advertising seeks to influence behavior (Berger, 1999).

In the case of Boise Cascade Office Products, a visual aid helped to differentiate it from Office Max and Staples, while also driving the business 44% over the previous year …

The Effect Of Residence Type On Adjustment To College, Matthew J. Facemire

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined the difference in adjustment to college between Commuters (students who lived at home with their parents) and Boarders (students who lived on campus in residence halls). The study was conducted at a rural teachers college in West Virginia. The Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) was administered to 86 students from four English 102 classes. The results include 48 students who met the requirements of the study. The results of the SACQ were input into a SPSS computer program to produce a 2x2 design ANOVA. The Test of Between-Subject Effects showed three areas of significant difference between …

Student Victimization And Its Relation To School Violence, Heidi Gregoire

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The frequent depiction of school violence in the media today has led some to believe that violence in our schools is an increasing problem. Those who are most prone to be influenced by the media’s perception of school violence may include those most affected by school violence such as parents, educators, and students. This influence may increase parents’ concerns about sending their children to school, and create a fear of going to school on a daily basis in educators and students. Despite such fears, research suggests that school violence is, in fact, decreasing, at least with regard to school shootings. …

Gender And Parenting Stress Using Abidin's Parenting Stress Index, K. Penny Nicholls

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The effect of gender on parenting stress was studied on a sample of 56 parents at the time of custody disputes. Each pair of parents completed the Parenting Stress Index or the Parenting Stress Index/Short Form. Results were not significant when gender was matched to the total parent stress scores, indicating parent child stress was not associated with parent gender as was found in previous research.

Levels Of Stress Between Cooperative Education Students On-Placement And Pending Placement, Judy L. Mainzinger-Rathbun

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to see if there was an association between the levels of stress in students who were interviewed for a job and their placement status after the job interview. During the spring 2000 semester, 62 students were sent on interviews with public and private agencies/companies for potential placement in cooperative education positions within the agencies/companies. Out of this total population of 62 interviewed, twenty-three were placed in positions (hereafter referred to as “on-placement”) and thirty-nine were not placed (hereafter referred to as “pending-placement"). For this study, the total population of 62 students was divided into …

Perception Of Marital Satisfaction And Adjustment Between Males And Females In Rural Appalachia, Gina Ingram

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

With the divorce rates having doubled since 1960, numerous researchers have attempted to identify some of the relevant factors associated with successful marriages. This research attempted to identify those factors associated with marital satisfaction and adjustment among Appalachian males and females. Subjects were selected from southern West Virginia. Marital satisfaction and adjustment were evaluated using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). The DAS consisted of four subscales: Consensus, Cohension, Affectional Expression, and Satisfaction. The data were analyzed using Pearson Coefficient Product Correlation and t-tests. There were no significant differences among the descriptive variables and the subscale variables were identified. There was …

Occupational Titles And The Perception Of Gender, Cynthia A. Lokey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

First, this study examines the findings of Shinar’s (1975) study on the perception of gender in occupations in comparison to a current population. Second, the answers of a population of college students in WV were compared to their place of origin. Third, current neutral titles were compared to earlier gendered counterparts. Lastly, the answers of male and female respondents were analyzed.

Overall, occupational titles were found to be less gendered but retained their gender when compared to data collected by Shinar in 1975. Those respondents who were native to in WV were not found to be more stereotypical in their …

Business Technology: New Avenues For Sexual Harassment In The Workplace, Terri Stone Meadows

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Evaluations of scenarios describing workplace sexual harassment rendered through interpersonal versus technological means and rendered by a supervisor versus a co-worker were made by 178 college students (95 females and 83 males; M age = 23). The participants rated the seventeen sexual harassment scenarios using a three-point scale (1 = yes; 2 =no; 3 = unsure). For each scenario, participants rated whether the behavior in the scenario (1) was sexual harassment, (2) was inappropriate, but not necessarily sexual harassment, (3) would be a comfortable experience if the participant was a target of the behavior, and (4) was serious enough to …

Religion And Coping With Chronic Illness: A Comparison Of Rural And Urban Communities, Christina Mullins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study compared 45 rural and urban families in their use of religion as a means of coping with the stress of a chronically ill child. Parents reported no differences between their actual use of religion as a means of coping. However, urban families were more likely to believe they should turn to their clergy for emotional support.

Social Skill Training Effects On The Interpersonal Distance And Touch Recognition Abilities Of Second Grade Children, Thomas E. Redden

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The effects of training on interpersonal distance and touch recognition abilities among 46 second grade children was evaluated. The children were involved in two, 45 minute training sessions each week for three weeks. Training effects were measured using the Emory Dyssemia Index-Brief Form (EDI-b). The teachers rated the children with the distance and touch subtest ofthe EDI-b. Pre-test and Post-test measures were obtained. A one way analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Alpha was set at .05. There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups prior to training. There was a significant difference between …