Psychology Commons^™

Is Trust A Zero-Sum Game? What Happens When Institutional Sources Get It Wrong, Andrew Dawson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, trust in mainstream institutions is on the decline while people are increasingly turning to alternative media and conspiracy theories. Previous research has suggested that these trends may be linked, but the exact nature of the relationship is unclear. In a fractured informational environment, is trust a neutral process, where each source is judged independently, or is it in fact a zero-sum competition, where a loss for one side is a gain for the other? Across three experimental studies (N = 2,951) we examined how people react when a source makes a serious error, …

Piloting Brief, Just-In-Time Training Videos For Mentors: Expanding And Strengthening Motivational Interviewing For Youth, Mackenzie J. Hart

Theses and Dissertations

Having paraprofessional providers, such as youth mentors, deliver evidence-based services, has been posited to increase the reach of youth services given the affordability and ubiquity of mentors in school settings. Further, examinations of mentor-delivered Motivational Interviewing (MI) have shown promise in increasing youth mentees’ academic performance and wellbeing. Yet, traditional methods used for training mentors to use MI effectively and sustainably can be costly and time-consuming processes. Previous work has suggested the value of asynchronous, brief, just-in-time trainings (JITTs) to help offset these challenges; however, MI JITTs for mentors have not yet been formally evaluated. As such, the present study …

Integrated Stem Learning Activity: Effect On Student Engagement And Learning, Leslie Deitrich Sauder

Dissertations and Theses

Student engagement in math and science courses decreases starting in middle school and continues throughout high school (Museus et al., 2011). This lack of engagement results in students taking only the required math and science coursework and not advanced coursework that would help prepare them for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning activities may be used to promote student engagement and learning. This experimental design study was conducted with students in grades 3-5 in one rural mid-sized school district in the upper mid-west. Student engagement was analyzed using a …

A New Direction For Public Understanding Of Science: Toward A Participant-Centered Model Of Science Engagement., Christopher Rickels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Engaging the public with science is not an easy task. When presented, scientific findings, public health recommendations, and other scientific information filter through the personal values, beliefs, and biases of members of the public. Science communicators must contend with these differences in order to be effective in cultivating a public understanding of science. Given the importance of scientific understanding for living well in a complex world, increasing science understanding through science engagement is imperative. The field of public engagement with science is dichotomized by a public information deficit approach and a contextualist approach. The deficit approach prizes the factual content …

Research And The Replication Crisis: A Psychology Course Proposal, Kathryn Fassih

Honors Projects

For my project, I have created a course syllabus and lab manual for undergraduate students to learn more about the replication crisis in the field of psychology and learn how to conduct hands-on research through replicating carefully selected studies.

The Effects Of Acute Exercise On Retrieval Induced Forgetting, Walter Simpson

Honors Theses

Retrieval Induced Forgetting (RIF) is a type of active forgetting that may play beneficial and detrimental roles in long-term memory. The benefit of the retrieval of certain information is that information will become more readily available following subsequent retrieval; a concept termed the retrieval practice effect (RP). The detrimental effect of RIF may be that, upon the subsequent recall of certain information, related information may be inhibited from recall. The effects and mechanisms of RIF have remained a topic of debate among neuroscientists, psychologists, and other related scholars. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of acute …

Negative Appraisal Correlation To Ptsd Symptoms Among Law Enforcement Officers, Ginger Lee Jenkins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Law enforcement officers are exposed to traumatic events through their daily work responsibilities. Traumatic events have increased within recent decades and can have long-term and critical outcomes on officers such as health concerns, long-term psychological issues, social impairment, and work performance. Thus, this quantitative study was conducted to explore negative appraisals of cumulative traumatic events and their relation to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in law enforcement officers. Based on the theoretical framework for the study, Ehlers and Clark's cognitive model, negative appraisals involve how an individual interprets a situation, negative appraisals of traumatic events lead to maladaptive behavior and …

Confronting Sexism In Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math (Stem): What Are The Consequences?, Eden J.V. Hennessey

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Disparaging remarks that female scientists are ‘Distractingly Sexy’ (Waxman, 2015) and ‘Too Pretty to Do Math’ t-shirts (Amazon.com) highlight the common belief that women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) violate perceived gender norms. However, by confronting these beliefs, women may incur a ‘double-dose’ of hostility; once for being present in science, and again because of the confrontation itself (Kaiser & Miller, 2001). Across three studies, this research tested how women confronting sexism in STEM contexts would elicit and anticipate social costs. Study 1 showed that male participants rated a hypothetical female confronter in STEM higher in bossiness and …

Relational Cultural Theory And Mentoring In A Science Support Program, Kathleen Buehler

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Increasing the number of Latinx students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is a national priority, but statistics show that Latinx students are still underrepresented in these fields (U.S. Department of Education, 2014). Mentoring interactions are thought to be integral to the retention and success of STEM students (George & Neale, 2006) and a contextualized mentoring model that both supports growth in STEM fields and also meets the needs of underrepresented groups is essential. This study used relational cultural theory (RCT; Ragins & Fletcher, 2007) to examine non-hierarchical relational mentoring approaches within STEM contexts. Using qualitative data from …

A Comprehensive Computer Aided Tool For Evaluating Mid-Level Managers, Ryan Hankins

Honors Projects

This project is a case study for a tool which would test and evaluate users on managerial skills and industrial-organizational psychology concepts. The tool developed during this project is a proto-type for a virtual assessment center which would offer a lower cost alternative to in-person assessment centers. The virtual assessment center evaluates users on process skills and soft skills that have been shown to be associated with successful mid-level managers. The proto-type has a business game to measure process skills and two situational judgment tests to measure two dimensions related to soft skills. To implement the business game, the proto-type …

Enhancing Scientific Comprehension Through Content Acquisition Podcasts, Caroline Elizabeth Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to determine the effectiveness of using Content Acquisition Podcasts (CAPs) to teach children with learning disabilities scientific vocabulary. CAPs are multimedia instructional podcasts that combine images and sound to teach supplemental vocabulary. Four children ages 9 to 10 with learning disabilities were taught vocabulary words to prepare them for end-of-year testing. Words were taken from units about rocks, soil and fossils. This study used a multiple probe multiple baseline across units design. Data analysis showed that three of four participants experienced significant improvement in at least one of three units. Social validity questionnaires showed that all four …

Using Systematic Instruction To Teach Science To Students With Severe Disabilities, Anna E. Greene

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Science content is still a commonly over-looked academic content area for students with severe disabilities despite recent research. The purpose of this study was to show that students with severe disabilities can learn science content in a whole group setting when taught using applied behavior analytic principles, such as prompting and fading techniques. Four elementary-aged students with severe disabilities between 1^st and 5^th grade were taught science content using group lessons and effects were measured by a multiple baseline design across units. Participants were taught content from three different units: Energy, weather, and plants; the science content selected …

Identity Compatibility, Career Adaptability, And Adaptive Coping As Predictors Of College Women's Commitment In Stem Majors, Michelle Murray

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The ‘leaky pipeline’ is a metaphor often used to describe the progressive and persistent phenomenon that occurs when women who have initially planned on pursuing STEM careers drop out before a career is established (Cronin & Roger, 1999). Women pursuing STEM occupations often receive messages that they do not belong or are not expected to succeed in the field, which can negatively impact one’s academic performance, increase psychological stress, and influence one’s persistence within a field of study (Steele & Aronson, 1995; London, Downey, Bolger & Velilla, 2005). Using career construction theory (Savickas, 2013) as a framework, the current study …

Sustainable Faith: How The Neuroscience Of Emotion Promotes Spiritual Transformation, Christine M. Mutch

Doctor of Ministry

Current research indicates that well-intentioned practices and programs aimed at forming people into the image of Christ are not producing the intended results. One roadblock is the misunderstanding and lack of value placed on the role of emotion in the transformation process. The purpose of this dissertation is to present neuroscience research about the integral role of emotion in one's life, and suggest practical ways to capitalize on emotion to effect transformation.

Chapter one describes the goals of spiritual formation, in contrast to current attitudes and practices of those inside and outside the church. It provides a basic introduction to …

Concepts Of Divine Action For A Theistic Approach To Psychology, Brent S. Melling

Theses and Dissertations

Recent years have seen increased interest in using theism (the perspective that assumes that God is currently actively in the world) as a conceptual framework for scientific inquiry. This interest has built particular momentum in psychology where several scholars have expressed that traditional naturalistic approaches limit understanding and investigation of psychology's subject matter and thus are insufficient to fully account for human phenomena. Others have previously made the case for the consideration of theism as a legitimate alternative basis for psychological theory, research, and practice. This dissertation begins with that consideration and examines what would be required to move a …

The Role Of Inspiration In Scientific Scholarship And Discovery: Views Of Theistic Scientists, Kari Ann O'Grady

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study examined the ways those who identify themselves as theistic scientists and scholars experience inspiration, as defined as divine guidance or influence, in their scientific scholarship and discovery. It also explored participants' beliefs about how scientists and scholars can seek and prepare to receive inspiration in their work. Open-ended surveys of 450 participants from the behavioral and natural sciences and from a variety of religious backgrounds were analyzed for content themes in the areas of experiences with inspiration, preparing to receive inspiration, and further thoughts on inspiration in science. The themes extracted indicated that these scientists and …

Museum -Based Learning: Informal Learning Settings And Their Role In Student Motivation And Achievement In Science, Julie Ann Holmes

Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined changes in student motivation and achievement in science in relationship with a visit to the IDEA Place Experiment Gallery. The study was based on the pretest-posttest control comparison group design with four treatment groups: control, exhibit, lesson, and exhibit/lesson. The sample was 228 sixth grade students from a public north central Louisiana school who were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental groups. Pretest, posttest, and delayed posttest measures of intrinsic motivation and achievement in science were determined using the Children's Academic Intrinsic Motivation Inventory and an achievement test written to measure areas of science incorporated …

The Development, Implementation And Evaluation Of A Constructivist Learning Approach Based On Personal Construct Psychology, A. R. Fetherstonhaugh

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study involved the development, implementation and evaluation of a constructivist learning model based on Kelly's (1955) Personal Construct Psychology (PCP). The thesis begins with a rationale for the use of PCP and then the instructional approach is derived from this theoretical basis. Following the derivation, examples of learning materials used in the implementation are presented. The second half of the thesis deals with data gathered before, during and after the implementation which occurred in two Year 9 science classes. The classes were part of a city high school in Western Australia.

Achievement Of Students In Introductory Social Science Courses Offered By The College Of Humanities, Arts, And Social Sciences At Utah State University, James Collins Lewis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The evaluation of student achievement in college has only recently become an important area of research. The main focus of this study was to determine the achievement of students in introductory social science courses offered by the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Utah State University. Several other variables were considered throughout the study including (1) the achievement of students in introductory courses offered by other colleges than the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, (2) the effects of using standardized and teacher-made tests in measuring achievement, and (3) the achievement gain/loss of students tested two months …

The Effects Of Free And Forced Choice With A Time Gradient And Monetary Incentive In A Serial Learning Task, Ernest Joseph Lucier Jr.

All Master's Theses

This experiment was designed to determine the effects of free and forced choice within time gradients of five and eight seconds using monetary incentive on a serial learning task. A series of nonsense symbols were successively presented to thirty-six subjects whose task was to learn the serial with the least number of exposures.

Effect Of Alcohol On Timing Behavior In The Pigeon, Robert J. Boyd

All Master's Theses

Although no one knows how alcohol affects an animal's perception or why it does not appear to affect his retention of time, this study, analyzing the IRTs that were between 10 and 40 seconds, supports the conclusions of previous studies and indicates that the effect of alcohol is much the same for pigeons as it is for rats.

The Effects Of Varying A T Group Design Upon Self Concept, George Richard Woodruff

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine what effects the varying of a T Group design would have upon self-concept and also to determine whether or not individuals who had participated in a T Group would report more positive self-concepts than persons who had not had such an experience.

The Effect Of Pretesting On The Training Of Conservation Behavior, Lynn Mannan

All Master's Theses

The purpose of the present research is to determine if a relationship exists between the traditional Piaget tasks used to identify the preoperational and transitional children and the effects of the training procedures designed to increase conservation behavior.

Conditioned Helplessness And Human Escape Behavior, Robert E. Gabbard Jr.

All Master's Theses

The present study was undertaken to determine, first, whether or not "helplessness" can be conditioned in human subjects, and, secondly, the amount of behavioral variability that can be accounted for in terms of locus of control as measured by Rotter's Internal-External control scale (I-E scale).

Philosophy Of Human Nature As A Function Of Political Preference, Political Involvement, And Age, Ralph L. Anderson

All Master's Theses

The present study used the Philosophy of Human Nature (PHN) Scale and a 2X2X2 factorial design with party preference, level of political involvement, and age as the three main effects to test twelve specific hypotheses. One hundred twenty subjects were randomly selected from among the Democratic and Republican parties of Kittitas County and students from Central Washington State College, and the PHN Scale was administered to them.

The Effect Of Modification Of Hyperactive-Aggressive Behavior On Oral Expressive Language Behavior, Betty Susan Dowdell

All Master's Theses

The question the study sought to answer was: Will the affect of modification of hyperactive-aggressive behavior effect a change in the oral expressive language behavior of the children?

The Effect Of Electroconvulsive Shock Following One-Trial Avoidance Learning In The Rat, Richard H. Lovely

All Master's Theses

It is hypothesized that (1) If rats are given electroconvulsive shock, following a footshock to condition an avoidance response, they will display initial retrograde amnesia and that this amnesia will diminish over time as manifested by recovery of the avoidance response; (2) This recovery is not a pure function of time but involves re-exposure to the original learning situation.

Bayes’ Theorem: A Model For Human Probability Estimate Revision, William H. Hickok

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine Bayes' Theorem as a model for the description of how humans utilize information based on uncertain (probabilistic) relationships between the relevant cues and the outcome-classes.

Operantly Conditioning A Boy’S Classroom Behavior, Daniel Lee Mcivor

All Master's Theses

It was hypothesized that (a) if attending and correct responses were followed by approving attention from the staff, then the rates of attending and giving correct responses would significantly increase; (b) if yelling, rocking, and hitting were immediately followed by a command to stop, or by placement in a time-out room, then the rates of those behaviors would significantly decrease; and (c) if the above conditioning procedures were dropped, then the rates of all behaviors under study would return toward their operant levels.

Meaningfulness And Similarity As Determinants Of Verbal Retention, Walter S. Heins

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the relationships and interaction between two factors--meaningfulness (m) and similarity (s) as these factors affect the retention and recall of high and low m consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) trigrams.