Psychology Commons^™

The Effects Of A Thank-You Letter And/Or Phone Call To First-Time Volunteer Blood Donors, Larkey Sheldon De Neffe

Dissertations and Theses

This study measures two reinforcement strategies designed to increase repeat donations in first-time volunteer blood donors.

Predictors Of Self-Esteem And Spiritual Well-Being Among Sexually Abused Women, Kathryn D. Rodriguez

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of the study was to a) formulate an equation for predicting self-esteem and spiritual wellbeing among women molested as children and b) analyze the role of beginning age of abuse, ending age of abuse, relationship between offender and victim, family authority structure, and religious orientation of the home in predicting self-esteem and spiritual well-being in contributing to these equations. The sample consisted of 50 adult women between the ages of 18 and 60 who were involved in outpatient treatment for childhood sexual abuse in one of six outpatient treatment facilities in the Northwestern United States. Stepwise multiple regression …

An Evaluation Of The Effects Of An Infant-Care Skills Training Program On Fathering Behaviors, G. Joseph Vrazo

Masters Theses

This study replicated the findings and expanded the assessment procedures of a previous study that had established the effectiveness of a multi-component infant-care skills training program for first-time fathers. A multiple probe design was used in this study to demonstrate that the training program produced criterion performance of the infant-care skills by four experimental fathers; also, an increase in the frequency of infant stimulation activities initiated by these fathers was observed. A pre/post training evaluation of the effects of the training program on the fathers' performance of play and affectional behaviors and daily infant-care activities yielded negative results. Four control …

Drug Use And Abuse: A Survey Of Mentally Retarded Citizens In Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Sandra Ann Burdick

Masters Theses

An abundant array of research in the area of drug use and abuse among various populations has been conducted in recent years. These studies have determined that although several demographic variables affect the prevalence of drug use, all segments of society who have access to drugs are at some risk. Whether relative risk is influenced by subaverage intelligence is unclear, however, for very little has been done to determine the prevalence of drug use and abuse among the mentally retarded.

In this survey methods were utilized to gather such information in Kalamazoo County, Michigan. A survey return rate of 73% …

The Effects Of Altruism On Activity Productivity In Elderly Women In Skilled-Care Nursing Facilities, Carol J. Getz

Masters Theses

This study investigated altruism as a factor in productivity in elderly women. Eight groups of institutionalized elderly women (n = 33) stenciled personalized (initials) stationery. Groups were randomly assigned to either the non-altruistic condition or the altruistic condition; there was control for time of day and location of the activity. Subjects in the non-altruistic condition made stationery for themselves, while subjects in the altruistic condition made stationery for abused children living in an innercity. The number of pieces of stationery produced and the duration of time engaged in activity were recorded for each subject. Mann-Whitney U tests revealed that subjects …

Hemispheric Brain Laterality Of Perception Of Tachistoscopically Presented Erotic Stimuli By Male And Female College Students, Randall Warne Stewart

Masters Theses

The effects of hemispheric asymmetry on the perception of erotic stimuli presented in either of the two visual fields was investigated. Freshmen and Sophomore college students, 20 males and 27 females, were used as subjects in the study. Subjects were bilaterally presented with combinations of erotic, neutral, and blank visual field stimuli using a "split visual field" procedure for a total of 96 200 msec. presentations. Subjects were asked to rate the presentations on a scale of 1 to 5; 1 was equal to neutral and 5 was equal to very erotic. Males and females rated erotic stimuli presented in …

An Attendance Incentive Procedure Using Group Contingencies, Norman Kevin Brown

Masters Theses

This study used a multiple baseline design to examine the effect of a lottery-based group contingency on unscheduled sick leave (USL) use by residential treatment workers. Sixty direct-care workers participated in this study. Researchers employed a group contingency that required workers to meet 2-week absence criterion levels in order to participate in a subsequent reinforcement lottery. The workers who won the lottery chose one of four rewards including 20 dollars, 4 hours paid time-off, lunch with a supervisor, and four movie tickets. The mean number of USL hours used in each of five work units was reduced significantly during intervention. …

The Effects Of Caffeine On The Recall Of Prose Passages, Scott V. Sternhagen

Theses and Dissertations

It has been demonstrated that an individual's level of arousal has a significant effect on their ability to perform a specific tasks. This arousal may be due to stable trait characteristics such as those measured by the impulsivity subscale of the Eysenck Introversion Extroversion Scale or transient state effects like those caused by consumption of stimulants such as caffeine. Manipulation of trait and state arousal have been shown to cause significant effects on an individual's ability to perform various cognitive tasks such as to remember word lists or prose passages.

In this experiment, 79 male subjects listened to three expository …

Restrained Eating : The Effects Of Privacy And Perception Of Having Overeaten On Subsequent Food Consumption, Geraldine T. Merola

Theses and Dissertations

Herman & Mack (1975) theorized that "restrained eaters," conflicted between social pressure to be thin and biological pressure to be fat, tend to alternately eat very little or a great deal, as they respond to one or the other constraint. According to restraint theory, restrained eaters' chronic dieting induces physiological and psychological states that make them highly susceptible to external disruption of eating controls. Research has shown that when led to believe they have already overeaten (i.e., when they are "preloaded"), restrained eaters will loosen restraints and "counterregulate" (i.e., binge-eat). In contrast, "unrestrained eaters" (i.e., normal eaters) will compensate by …

Ratio Pausing And The Determination Of Discriminative Operant Latencies, Thomas M. Bell

Dissertations

The latency between discriminative stimulus onset and initiation of a corresponding ratio requirement (RR) was studied in pigeons using a two-key discrete-trial procedure with three-component multiple schedules. The two-key procedure allowed measurement of response-reinforcer relations on a "constant" key, and stimulus-reinforcer relations on a "stimulus" key. The first experiment showed regular between-session effects as equivalent fixed-ratio (FR) components were raised over several phases and then lowered. A direct relation was observed between latency and RR for each of ten subjects. Initial stimulus-key pecking showed several trends, the most prevalent being an inverse relation to RR.

Experiment 2 demonstrated within-session separations …

The Effects Of Test Result And Diagnosticity On Physicians’ Revisions Of Probability Of Disease In Medical Diagnosis, Ann Elizabeth Sinclair

Dissertations and Theses

This study examined the effects of sensitivity, specificity and result of diagnostic tests on the uses which physicians make of those results. These were compared with the Bayesian model of probability adjustment, which is generally accepted for medical diagnosis. Ninety six active members of the Oregon Academy of Family Physicians were interviewed by telephone, using a case scenario describing a patient with a newly discovered breast lump. Subjects estimated prior probability of malignancy, based on history and physical findings, and then estimated posterior probability following results of a mammogram. Mammograms varied by result (positive or negative) and by high and …

The Well-Being Of Working Family Women: Demands And Rewards, Social Support And Coping With Interrole Stress, Dianne Sheila Leader

Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between the lifestyle of working family women and their well-being. Previous research had indicated that role conflict between home and work roles was common, and that it could have adverse effects on personal outcomes. One objective of the inquiry was to test previously proposed relationships between home and work demands, interrole stress and well-being. Another aim of the study was to explore the effects of including positive resources (coping behavior, social support and personal rewards) together with demands and interrole stress in examining the well-being of working family women. A conceptual framework was developed based …

The Efficacy Of Biofeedback In The Treatment Of Tension Headaches, Micahel Earl Waters

Student Dissertations & Theses

Fifteen adults from the general population with chronic tension headaches were divided into four groups. Four were assigned to relaxation instructions, biofeedback (EMG and temperature), and home relaxation practice; four were assigned to relaxation instructions and biofeedback; four were assigned to biofeedback alone; and three were assigned to a no-treatment group. Subjects completed a ten-day baseline period followed by a three-week treatment period. Measures were taken of headache frequency, duration, intensity, frontalis EMG, and temperature recordings. Comparisons of pre- and post-treatment data indicated that not one treatment group was significantly different from any other treatment group, including the no-treatment group, …

Dietary Induced Weight Gain And Recovery Of Body Weight In Mongolian Gerbils, Maryann Mccarthy

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the capacities of male and female gerbils for recovery from increased weight gain produced by ingestion of high fat food. Thirty-six gerbils, assigned to either 20% or 40% groups with nine males and nine females in each percent weight gain group, were fed powdered chow under baseline conditions, then switched to a high fat diet until they reached target weight increase, and then returned to powdered chow. The 40% group was eliminated from the comparisons due to the failure of the gerbils to reach criterion. No sex differences were found in the …

Differences In Girls' Perceived Paternal Relationships And Their Self-Esteem, Ivora Dean Hinton

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Few studies have concentrated on the father-children relationship. Of those that have, only a small number have dealt solely with the father-daughter relationship (Biller, 1974; Musser & Fleck, 1983; Walters & Stinnett, 1971). Studies on the relationship of Black fathers and their daughters are severely lacking (McAdoo, 1981; Shulz, 1949; Staples, 1970). Those who have studied Black fathers and their families have found differences in the way Black and White fathers interact with their daught e rs (Bartz & Levine, 1978; Cazenave, 1979; Klonsky, 19 82; McAdoo, 1979; McAdoo, 1981; Reid, 1985). This study was designed to examine the difference …

An Analysis Of The Effects Of A Low Glycemic Diet On The Antisocial Behavior Of Juvenile Offenders, James Edward Longhurst

Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine if a low glycemic diet contributes to a reduction in the incidence of antisocial behavior among male juvenile offenders.

One hundred forty juvenile offenders at a residential treatment center were randomly divided into treatment and nontreatment groups. The treatment group ate from a diet which contained foods low in glycemic characteristics. There was no dietary alteration for the control group.

Three instruments were used to measure differences between groups in antisocial behavior following a 5-week experimental period. These instruments include: (1) the Unusual Incident Report--a systematic and objective observer report form, (2) …

A Comparison Of Retail Sales Performance Under Individual And Group Quota Systems, Karen Beth Bishop

Masters Theses

The research goal of this study was to determine if changing from an individual to a group quota system changed variability in sales performance. Data were collected within three branches of the company. Within subject and within group variances were calculated using salesclerk's sales figures. Three months of 1986 represented individual quota figures, while the same three months of 1987 represented group quota figures. Results of the within group variance found two departments had a variance decrease and one department had a variance increase. Cumulative sales for both systems found decreases in sales using the group quota system for two …

Loevinger's Ego Development Scale In Well Functioning College Students, Joyce Marie Cartor

Doctoral Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the existence of different character styles among intellectually gifted people. Two groups of students at the University of Tennessee, Honors students in Physics and Chemistry and students in the College Scholars program, were studied in order to demonstrate that the difference in personality dynamics among intellectually gifted individuals goes beyond 1Q level. Loevinger's Washington University Sentence Completion Test of ego development was used as a measure of overall character style. The Rorschach was administered to glean further information about the personalities of the participants, and to investigate the nature of its …

Minimizing Stimulus-Reinforcer Contributions To Operant Latency, Mario Miguel Delgado Zambrano

Masters Theses

The present study involved two experiments using an unlighted food hopper. The first provided magazine training with the darkened hopper, followed by a test for autoshaping potential. The second, using birds that showed very little autoshaped behavior in the first experiment, and continuing to use the unlighted hopper, measured operant latencies in a Hesse (1984) discrete-trial multiple schedule using a two-key procedure for separating stimulus-reinforcer and response-reinforcer contributions. The objective here was to demonstrate latency differences between favorable and unfavorable schedule components, while limiting the possible confound of stimulus-reinforcer contributions as measured by initial stimulus-key responding.

Despite being unable to …

The Effect Of Religious Orientation, History Of Sexual Trauma, And Typology On Spiritual Well-Being And Interpersonal Behavior Among Adult Male Child Molesters, Anthony J. Papania

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The study measured the effect of religious orientation, typology, and history of sexual trauma on assertiveness, aggressiveness, and spiritual well being for child molesters. The sample consisted of SS child molesters from outpatient and inpatient programs in Oregon. The subjects ranged in age from 19 to 72. The subjects completed the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the Interpersonal Behavior survey, and an Information survey. The scores on the Spiritual Well-Being Scale, the General Aggressiveness Rational scale and General Assertiveness Rational scale of the Interpersonal Behavior survey were the dependent variables. A 3-Way ANOVA via regression approach with a 2x2x2 design was conducted …

Effects Of A Depression Seminar On Self-Ratings Of Symptoms By University Employees, Martha Jean Hobbs

Student Dissertations & Theses

Twenty-five female public university employees volunteered for a study examining the effects of a short-term intervention (seminar) on self-ratings of depression, as measured by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Scale 2. Comparison of scores of the subjects, randomly assigned to groups, revealed that, in terms of group means, neither the participant nor the control group changed over the testing period. MMPI interpretative levels of depression reverted to the mean over pretest, posttest, and follow-up, with all participants finishing in either Normal or Moderate classifications. Above-normal depression levels of six subjects at pretest indicated some need for employee assistance in mental …

Category Test And Wais Scores: Sex And Age Inter-Relationships, Julia Ann Shelton

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The current study investigated sex and age differences on the WAIS and Category Test in a sample of 218 persons, half male and half female, between the ages of 16 and 39. The sample was composed of well educated diabetics without neurological symptomatology and of above average intelligence.

Three types of statistical analyses were performed. The first of these were factor analyses of structural composition of WAIS and Category tests as influenced by sex. Results suggested that males and females exhibit different patterns of performance. The second analyses were regression analyses to predict Category Test performance from WAIS scores and …

The Influence Of Direct Versus Indirect Observation, Candidate Report Format, And Assessor Training On The Accuracy Of Assessor Ratings, Rudolph L. Johnson Jr.

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Within the assessment center method, assessors' preliminary evaluations of candidates' performance are typically based on information obtained through direct observation of the candidate's performance in the situational exercise, or on another assessor's report of that performance. This variation is somewhat disconcerting, however, in that its impact on assessor ratings remains largely unstudied. The primary focus of the present study was to assess the differential effects of observation type (i.e., direct observation, dimension-specific report, narrative report) on various measures of rating accuracy. In addition, the present study investigated cognitive modeling as an assessor training strategy, and its impact on rating accuracy. …

Factors Affecting The Efficacy Of Rater Training: Information Type And Mode Of Presentation, Todd A. Silverhart

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

In order to enhance the quality of performance ratings, researchers have directed their efforts towards training raters to evaluate performance more accurately. The purpose of the present study was to examine two factors that may affect the efficacy of rater training for improving the accuracy of performance ratings. One factor was the type of information that was presented during training (target score information, behavioral rationale for target scores, or a combination of target score and behavioral rationale). The second factor was the mode in which information was presented during training (feedback or feedforward). In addition to assessing the unique contribution …

The Relationship Between Father's Parenting Style, Concept Of God, And Spiritual Well-Being In Christian College-Aged Women, Teresa L. Dean

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study is to examine whether an Authoritative parenting style by a woman's father has an effect on her Concept of God and Spiritual Well-being. The Children's Report of Parent's Behavior Inventory (CRPBI), two Concept of God scales, and the Spiritual Well-being scale were given to a randomly chosen sample of 200 women from Messiah College. A total of 127 women responded to the questionnaire.

It was hypothesized that there would be significant relationships between the three scores derived from the CRPBI (Acceptance vs. Rejection, Psychological Autonomy vs. Psychological Control, and Firm Discipline vs. Lax Discipline) and …

Modification Of Aggressive Behavior In An Adolescent Through The Use Of Imagery Therapy, Julie Jackson Underriner

Student Dissertations & Theses

This case study explored the effects of using 12 sessions of Guided Affective Imagery (GAI) as advocated by Leuner to diminish aggressive behavior. The subject for the study was a thirteen-year-old female who resides in a group home facility. Overt behavior change was analyzed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and' the Direct Observation Form (DOF) in a pretreatment, posttreatment, and delayed posttreatment design. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the CBCL revealed no significant change in the subject’s aggressive behaviors. However, the DOF revealed a decrease in the subject’s problem behaviors on three other rating scales and an …

Student Failure As Associated With Socio-Economic Status, Racial Ethnicity, And Single Parenting, B. Dan Green

Student Dissertations & Theses

Academic failure is a problem in American schools all over the nation. Many factors play a part in the academic achievement of students. The purpose of this study is to investigate student academic failure among students from lower socio-economic status families as compared with students from families with a higher socio-economic status, with sub-groupings identifying students as to racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as those from single-parent homes. The test group for this survey is a group of four-hundred and forty eighth grade students from Goddard Junior High School in Midland, Texas. All students listed as "failing" failed one …

The Effects Of Magnitude Of Extrinsic Reinforcement On Intrinsic Interest: An Experimental Analysis, Brian Howard Gribler

Masters Theses

The present study examined the effect that three magnitudes of extrinsic reinforcement had on wheel running following the termination of reinforcement. After an initial baseline period, three groups of rats were assigned to one of three conditions: a variable interval 60 second schedule of reinforcement, a variable time 60 second schedule of reinforcement, or a control condition. Each subject in the reinforcement groups was exposed to three different magnitudes of reinforcement. Each reinforcement phase was followed by a return to baseline. The results indicated that contingent reinforcement increased wheel running although rates were comparable for all magnitudes of reinforcement. No …

Treatment Of Spasticity Via Transcranial Electrical Stimulation In Persons With Cerebral Palsy And Severe Mental Retardation, George A. Thompson Jr.

Dissertations

Although the clinical manifestations of cerebral palsy are many and varied, spasticity is a common aspect of the disorder, observed in as many as 75% of all cases (Paneth & Kiely, 1984). A double-blind and placebo-controlled and counter balanced reversal design was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial electrical stimulation (TCS) in the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy in six severely mentally impaired individuals. Although there appeared to be some improvement from pre to post measures, a comparison of the placebo and treatment conditions yielded results indicating that transcranial electrical stimulation did not increase the passive range of motion …

The Effects Of Music Videos On Adolescent Females Self-Concept And Body-Image, David Scott Eggli

Masters Theses

Music videos are a phenomenon of the 1980s. Their striking imagery, flashy choreography, sexy clothing, and quick cuts have attracted a huge audience of adolescents and changed the face of the fashion industry. If rock stars and music videos can attract millions of teenage viewers and change the style of clothes worn, they may also affect a teenager's self-concept and body-image.

The subjects in this research project were 18 adolescent females between the ages of 12 and 17. The subjects viewed either music videos or G-rated movies. The Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale served as the dependent variable for pretest …