Psychology Commons^™

Selected Demographic Variables As Predictors Of Moral Development Among George Fox College Students, Joe D. Wood

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The theoretical basis of this research was based on Kohlberg's cognitive model of moral development. Rest's operationalization of principled moral reasoning, Davison's scale score, and Thoma's utilizer score were specifically examined. A predictive relationship between certain demographic variables and the principled moral reasoning and Davison's score have been identified in the research literature. The purpose of this study was to examine further this predictive relationship. The James D. Foster and Beth A. LaForce research project provided the archival data for this research. From the existing data, demographic variables were selected as predictors of moral development among incoming George Fox College …

Crime And Evil: Meta-Theory, Theory, And Praxis In Forensic Psychology, Eric David Kunkel

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The prevalence of crime is a world-wide problem, and concomitantly, the fear of crime grips the public. Also, social scientists remain pessimistic about solutions: many acquiesce in the •nothing works" conclusion. The general populace views crime as both pathological (i.e., sick) and evil. Privately, social scientists may agree, but professionally they describe crime as nothing but an illness. This research establishes that such reductionism limits the explanatory power of forensic psychology and that ruling out the existence of evil a priori is unscientific. First, the philosophy of science underlying the study of crime is examined. The history of science, the …

The Effects Of Exercise Over Time On Levels Of Anxiety And Self-Efficacy Among Women Undergraduates, Linda S. Noval

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety. However, many people find exercise programs difficult to maintain. Researchers are now identifying factors associated with exercise adherence including selfefficacy. Teaching these skills to people may be important for the use of exercise as an intervention in reducing levels of anxiety. This study monitored levels of anxiety over time among women undergraduate students who were involved in four exercise conditions. The results suggest that while physical activity is associated with significantly higher levels of physical self-efficacy, it is not as closely associated with lower levels of trait anxiety.

Predicting Aggression Among Inpatient Adolescent Males With Mmpi Scales, Kent Hughes

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study was to develop a linear model of predicting aggression in inpatient adolescent males using selected MMPI clinical and special scales. The definition of aggression was measured by the number of seclusion and restraint interventions necessitated by each participant. Hospital records of 186 patients over a three year period were reviewed for MMPI data and seclusion and restraint information. Multiple regression analysis was utilized to analyze the data. A predictive equation was established including the MMPI Scale 8(Sc) in predicting number of restraint interventions. Although this equation was statistically significant at the .01 level, it was …

Conflict Management Style And Burnout Of Missionaries, Richard W. Meyers

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The study examined modes of conflict resolution present in a sample of missionaries as well as relationships between modes of conflict resolution and demoqraphic characteristics. Additionally, relationships between modes of conflict resolution and burnout were investigated along with the relationships between levels of burnout and sample demographic characteristics. The instruments utilized with the sample of 150 missionaries included an individual data form, the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Management-of-Differences Instrument (the MODE), and the Staff Burnout Scale for Missionary Personnel (SBS-MP), an adaptation of the Staff Burnout Scale for Health Professionals (SBS-HP) by Jones. The conflict management mode of Avoiding was the most …

Effect Of School-Age Learning Disabled Children On Parent Perception Of Family Adaptability And Cohesion, William C. Buhrow Jr.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Family systems theorists believe families have predictable, automatic behavior patterns. Families with learning disabled (LD) children have been found to experience a variety of maladaptive relationship patterns. This research investigated the question, ''Do school-age children with LD have a significant 8ffect on their parents' perceptions of their family's adaptability and cohesion, as measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales II (FACES II)?" In response to this question, two primary hypotheses were proposed. The first predicted a significant difference on perceptions of family adaptability and cohesion among fathers and mothers of school-age LO and non-LO children. Parents of non-LO children …

Gender As A Mediating Factor In The Effects Of Parental Alcoholism On Children, Claire Rusunen

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) and several demographic variables were used to explore the major question: Does gender have a mediating effect on children of alcoholic/addict parents? Alcoholic/addict parents involved in chemical dependency treatment in the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon, were recruited for participation in this study. Respondent parents completed a demographic questionnaire and a PIC on their oldest child. Thirty-three children aged 6 to 16 were surveyed. The participants were assigned to two of four study groups based on gender of the child and gender of the parent. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi square statistics were …

The Effect Of Age And Sexual Abuse On The Concept Of God In Children Ages Six Through Twelve, Laura Anne Roberts

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study was twofold. The first goal was to explore the relationship between the variables of age, sexual abuse, and the identity of the sexual offender upon the concept of God in children ages six through twelve. The second was to add to the literature regarding the assessment of the concept of God in children with an objective semantic differential scale instrument.

The sample consisted of 53 children from day care, church, and outpatient therapy settings. Nonabused children were divided on the basis of age (six through eight and nine through twelve). Sexually abused children were divided …

Spiritual Well Being, Religiosity, And Demographic Variables As Predictors Of The Use Of Christian Counseling Techniques Among Members Of Caps, U.S.A., Samuel A. Adams

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Despite the increasing attention being given to understanding the relationship between psychology and Christianity, there is little research investigating the actual practices of Christian psychotherapists. This study explored the use of Christian counseling techniques by Christian therapists. Specifically, it identified a set of variables which predicted the use of certain Christian counseling techniques among Christian therapist members of the Christian Association for Psychological studies (CAPS, USA) and described the range and frequency of their use.

Participants were 450 randomly sampled, clinical members of CAPS. Of the 450 surveyed, 340 responded, resulting in a 76% return rate. The total sample was …

Spiritual Well-Being, Religiosity, And Demographic Variables As Predictors Of The Use Of Christian Counseling Techniques Among Members Of Caps, U.S.A., Samuel Alexander Adams

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Despite the increasing attention being given to understanding the relationship between psychology and Christianity, there is little research investigating the actual practices of Christian psychotherapists. This study explored the use of Christian counseling techniques by Christian therapists. Specifically, it identified a set of variables which predicted the use of certain Christian counseling techniques among Christian therapist members of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS, USA) and described the range and frequency of their use. Participants were 450 randomly sampled, clinical members of CAPS. Of the 450 surveyed, 340 responded, resulting in a 76% return rate. The total sample was …