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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Front Matter Sep 2011

Front Matter

Modern Psychological Studies

No abstract provided.


Death, Etxtraversion, Commitment, And Sex: A Study On Terror Management, Jalaal Madyun, Wind Goodfriend Sep 2011

Death, Etxtraversion, Commitment, And Sex: A Study On Terror Management, Jalaal Madyun, Wind Goodfriend

Modern Psychological Studies

Several studies have found that when confronted with mortality (i.e., mortality salience), the desire for intimate relationships and the desire for sex increase (Ben-Ari, 2004; Hirschberger, Florian, & Mikulincer, 2002). The current study examined desire for commitment to a romantic partner and the desire to engage in risky sexual behaviors when mortality is salient and added an examination of how these constructs overlap with the personality trait of extraversion. Results showed that, as expected, extraversion was correlated with the desire to engage in risky sexual behavior. Surprisingly, however, individuals under mortality salience were less likely to desire risky sexual encounters, …


The Effects Of Video Game Play On Academic Performance, Jancee Wright Sep 2011

The Effects Of Video Game Play On Academic Performance, Jancee Wright

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of the present research is to determine whether playing video games impacts academic performance as determined by GPA. To accomplish this, 198 participants filled out a Gaming Habits Survey which was analyzed using a series of one-way ANOVAs. The study found that there was a significant effect of player status on GPA at the p < .01 level for the two conditions of player versus non-player [F (1, 169) = 7.08, p = .009]. Comparisons using descriptive statistics indicated that the mean GPA score for the player condition (M = 3.2, SD = .51) was significantly different than the non-player condition (M = 3.4, SD = .47). These results show that participants who indicated that they did play video games had significantly lower GPAs than participants who indicated that they did not play video games.


"I Would Feel Uncomforable If My Child's Teacher Were Gay": Examining The Role Of Symbolic Homophobia And Political Affiliation, Michael Moore, Amy Moors Sep 2011

"I Would Feel Uncomforable If My Child's Teacher Were Gay": Examining The Role Of Symbolic Homophobia And Political Affiliation, Michael Moore, Amy Moors

Modern Psychological Studies

Symbolic homophobia is a general negative disposition towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, which is demonstrated in symbolic forms of prejudice rather than overt actions. Stigma towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals has transformed from overt forms of prejudice to slightly less blatant more subtle forms in recent years (Schafer & Shaw, 2009). Based on previous research, it is has also been shown that conservatives will have higher levels of symbolic homophobia. (Linneman, 2004), Thus, in order to assess the more nuanced forms of prejudice in relation to political affiliation, Study 1 created a scale to assess symbolic homophobia. …


Challenges Of Reentering Society For Incarcerated African-American Men, Monica L. Ricci, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry Sep 2011

Challenges Of Reentering Society For Incarcerated African-American Men, Monica L. Ricci, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry

Modern Psychological Studies

African-American men are at the greatest risk for incarceration. Upon their release from prison, they face tremendous challenges to successful reentry, which explains in part their high recidivism rate. In the current paper, we review the existing literature on the challenges faced by African-American ex-offenders as they strive for successful reentry into society, namely challenges to secure employment and living arrangements, social support assets and challenges, as well as broader community-level challenges of reentry. Policy solutions are then identified to offset these obstacles. Lastly, the limitations of existing literature and future research directions are addressed.


Gender Patterns In Dress And Outward Appearance: An Individual Choice Or Fulfillment Of Cultural Expectations?, Caroline J. Lindemuth, Lindsey A. Thomas, Hadley A. Mates, Jenessa A. Casey Sep 2011

Gender Patterns In Dress And Outward Appearance: An Individual Choice Or Fulfillment Of Cultural Expectations?, Caroline J. Lindemuth, Lindsey A. Thomas, Hadley A. Mates, Jenessa A. Casey

Modern Psychological Studies

This study examines the extent to which males and females conform to gender schemas regarding outward appearance and clothing styles. Participants were observed from a distance in various natural settings and were coded based on estimated age, hair length, certain clothing choices, and certain jewelry and accessory choices. We found statistically significant gender differences (with p <.0001) for all characteristics, with the codes for hair length, earrings, and dresses showing the strongest discrepancies. These data showed a pattern of males being more confined to strict gender displays than were females, which can be seen particularly clearly in the wearing of earrings and dresses, as males rarely deviated from the socially acceptable gender signals. These findings imply that the feminist movement loosened feminine standards for dress and appearance; lacking a similar social movement, men remain more strictly confined to traditional displays of gender.


A Review Of Literature On The Effect Of Immigrant Status On Hispanic Adolescents' Psychosocial Adjustment And Achievement, Erin J. Carrol, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry Sep 2011

A Review Of Literature On The Effect Of Immigrant Status On Hispanic Adolescents' Psychosocial Adjustment And Achievement, Erin J. Carrol, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry

Modern Psychological Studies

In this literature review we examine the effect of immigration on the development of Hispanic adolescents and their ability to succeed academically. The issues of integrating identities, mediating family relationships and avoiding high risk behaviors and their impact on how these young people adjust are also evaluated. Successfully maintaining aspects of both cultures and healthy familial connections were key ingredients to promote an optimal environment for potential achievement, as well as appropriate buffers against ethnic discrimination or prejudice. The paper concludes with limitations of the literature as well as future directions. The findings of these studies support the need for …


An Investigation Of Racial Biases Among Rural Police Officers, Emily Pica, Karri Verno Sep 2011

An Investigation Of Racial Biases Among Rural Police Officers, Emily Pica, Karri Verno

Modern Psychological Studies

The current study examined racial biases in rural police systems. Fifty police officers took part in the study. A likert-type scale was used to measure different aspects of racial bias, and a questionnaire with crime descriptions was used. Each police system received either a Caucasian suspect questionnaire or an African American suspect questionnaire. Results indicated that the rural police officers in this study did not exhibit racial biases. There were additional analyses done which showed that female officers are slightly harsher in their treatment of African American suspects compared to male officers. The findings of the current study are similar …


The Commonalities Of Creativity And Suicide In College Students, Christopher W. Drapeau, Daniel Debrule Sep 2011

The Commonalities Of Creativity And Suicide In College Students, Christopher W. Drapeau, Daniel Debrule

Modern Psychological Studies

More than 1,000 college students die by suicide each year. Commonly found among these suicides are students who are highly creative, mentally ill, and attending highly competitive schools. Research has demonstrated that the risk of suicide is most acute in students displaying hypomania, impulsivity, psychosis, and a personality trait called psychoticism. Interestingly, these four risk factors are also exhibited in highly creative college students. Hypomania was the most significant contributor to creativity and suicide among the four variables. Elevations in hypomanic symptoms were found among the most creative students and those at risk for repeated suicide attempts. A self-report questionnaire …


Examining The Effect Of Childhood Animal Cruelty Motives On Recurrent Adult Violent Crimes Toward Humans, Joshua C. Overton Aug 2011

Examining The Effect Of Childhood Animal Cruelty Motives On Recurrent Adult Violent Crimes Toward Humans, Joshua C. Overton

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Few researchers have studied the predictive ability of childhood animal cruelty motives as they are associated with later recurrent violence toward humans. Based on a sample of 180 inmates at one medium- and one maximum-security prison in a Southern state, the present study examines the relationship among several retrospectively identified motives (fun, out of anger, hate for the animal, and imitation) for childhood animal cruelty and the later commission of violent crimes (murder, rape, assault, and robbery) against humans. Almost two-thirds of the inmates reported engaging in childhood animal cruelty for fun, whereas almost one-fourth reported being motivated either out …


Exploring Individual And Organizational Level Antecedents Of Experienced Workplace Incivility, Sara Ann Terlicki May 2011

Exploring Individual And Organizational Level Antecedents Of Experienced Workplace Incivility, Sara Ann Terlicki

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The present research explored antecedents of experienced workplace incivility, specifically, the individual characteristics of agreeableness, negative affectivity, and emotional stability, and organizational (work) characteristics including social and contextual factors. Three competing models linking these antecedents to experienced workplace incivility were developed. One hundred seventy six participants were included in the final sample. Participants were recruited directly from companies and through an internet-based snowball sampling approach. Participants completed a questionnaire to assess experienced workplace incivility and dispositional individual and work characteristics. The results indicated that individual and work characteristics are important antecedents of experienced workplace incivility. However, work characteristics, specifically social …


The Influence Of Identity Salience On Cross-Generational Perspectives Of Work Life Balance, Cherise Nicole White May 2011

The Influence Of Identity Salience On Cross-Generational Perspectives Of Work Life Balance, Cherise Nicole White

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this study is to test a new model of work life (nonwork) balance (WLB) that may explain individual and cross-generational differences in views of WLB. A prominent feature within this model, identity salience, is described as the values and importance a person attaches to the multiple roles they manage. This study addresses one of the major causes for inconsistency in the existing WLB research by examining how and why perceptions of WLB differ depending on the life stage of sample participants. The model was supported and findings suggest that individual perceptions of work life balance are contingent …


Authentic Leadership In Sports Teams, Greg Houchin May 2011

Authentic Leadership In Sports Teams, Greg Houchin

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Authentic leadership includes a positive moral perspective characterized by high ethical standards that guide decision making and behavior. The measurement of authentic leadership is aimed at a leader’s ability to be genuine. This study identified and analyzed authentic leaders on sports teams. Group cohesion was also assessed. The purpose was to determine whether authentic leadership would lead to performance when mediated by team cohesion and trust. Survey analyses were used to assess several teams. Results indicated that sports teams may benefit from training in authentic leadership. Authentic leadership predicts higher levels of trust, team cohesion, and group performance.


The Effects Of Body Characteristics On Perceived Competence, Courtney Michelle Kneip May 2011

The Effects Of Body Characteristics On Perceived Competence, Courtney Michelle Kneip

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different body characteristics on perceived competence; specifically, height, weight, and physical appearance. Participants were asked to login to their online school accounts and were then directed to a specific survey. All surveys consisted of the same questions, but included a different photograph. Participants then listened to a pre-recorded speech after being told that the individual in the photograph was the individual giving the speech. All surveys asked participants to rate judgments of height, weight, and physical appearance, compared to the average American. The speech provided the basis for the …


Common Core Thesis And A Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis Of Mysticism In Chinese Buddhist Monks And Nuns, Zhuo Chen May 2011

Common Core Thesis And A Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis Of Mysticism In Chinese Buddhist Monks And Nuns, Zhuo Chen

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study explored the phenomenological structure of mystical experience among 139 Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns. Semi-structured interviews, thematic coding, and statistical analyses identified Hood’s Mysticism Scale as a valid tool for studying mysticism across religions and cultures. Stace’s common facets of mysticism as measured by Hood’s scale successfully described Buddhist experience as modified by Buddhist doctrines. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that these facets could be formed into Stace’s three-factor structure. A mystical introvertive unity hypothesized to be separate from an extrovertive unity appeared instead to converge in the Chinese Buddhist context. These results lent strong …


Factors Contributing To Young Worker Atod Use Both And Off The Job, Sara Michelle Martin May 2011

Factors Contributing To Young Worker Atod Use Both And Off The Job, Sara Michelle Martin

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The present study was designed to evaluate whether workplace factors such as permissive culture or workplace stress are associated with the day-to-day use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs (ATOD) among young adult workers (N = 187). Previous research has found stronger relationships between ATOD use and workplace factors when ATOD use was measured on and off the job separately. To isolate on the job factors from off the job ATOD use, participants were asked to complete daily diary entries regarding their workday. It was predicted that workers who report stressful workdays and ATOD-tolerant workplace cultures will report more ATOD …


Faking In Personality Assessments: An Investigation Of A Method Factor Measure Of Faking, Raven Lynnette Worthy May 2011

Faking In Personality Assessments: An Investigation Of A Method Factor Measure Of Faking, Raven Lynnette Worthy

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of a newly developed "method factor" measure of faking to control for the effects of faking when personality tests are used to predict performance criteria. Traditional measures of faking, such as social desirability scales, have not been found to adequately control for faking. This study assessed the adequacy of the newly developed measure. When controlling for faking, as measured by the method factor, the validity of conscientiousness as a predictor of undergraduate GPA was larger. Additionally, the nature of the method factor across experimental conditions was investigated. The method factor …


The Palestenian-Israeli Conflict And Its Impact On The Mental Health Of Youth, Jeffray Feliciana Jan 2011

The Palestenian-Israeli Conflict And Its Impact On The Mental Health Of Youth, Jeffray Feliciana

Modern Psychological Studies

This paper explores what mental disorders can develop as a result of continued exposure to a conflict situation, specifically the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. A brief history of the region, and a summary of the current diplomatic situation are outlined to give a background to the subsequent information. The specific disorders prevalent in the region are identified and an explanation on how the ongoing conflict in the region exacerbates these disorders is provided These include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, fear, Selective Mutism, Separation Anxiety, and somatoform disorders. PTSD is extremely prevalent within the young populations of both Palestine and Israel, being …


Eyes, Eyebrows And Their Effect On The Facial Perception Of Hostility, Bradford L. Schroeder Jan 2011

Eyes, Eyebrows And Their Effect On The Facial Perception Of Hostility, Bradford L. Schroeder

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of the eyebrows and the eyes on the perception of the emotion of hostility through facial expressions. Eighty-six participants were randomly selected as a convenience sample from Tennessee Technological University. Images of the eye and eyebrow region of the face were projected in front of the class and participants rated each image on hostility, friendliness, and happiness, scaled from 0-5. The specific dependent measures were only hostility ratings. Results supported each of the proposed hypotheses. It was found that inward eyebrows, less open eyes, and the combination of inward …


Retention Among First Year College Students: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Jose A. Cantt, Guillermo Wated Jan 2011

Retention Among First Year College Students: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Jose A. Cantt, Guillermo Wated

Modern Psychological Studies

It was proposed that attitudes toward college, subjective norms (pressure from family and important others) and perceived control over the ability to succeed in school influence students' intention to stay in school. Forty-seven students (39 females) completed an 88-item survey. Results indicated that students' attitudes and social pressure were the most important predictors of intention to stay in school. These findings suggest that active family involvement in students' education, as well as the incorporation of information regarding the value of a college education into programs such as freshman experience, could aid efforts in helping students succeed at staying in school.


Does Environmental Enrichment While Studying Improve Recall?, Jade-Isis A. Lefebvre, Jordan S. Lefebvre, Lionel G. Standing Jan 2011

Does Environmental Enrichment While Studying Improve Recall?, Jade-Isis A. Lefebvre, Jordan S. Lefebvre, Lionel G. Standing

Modern Psychological Studies

Previous research suggests that studying audio and visual stimuli in two different rooms increases verbal recall, as compared to studying twice in only one room (Smith, Glenberg, & Bjork, 1978). The present study utilized this paradigm, and also separated the room and modality factors as sources of environmental enrichment. In Experiment 1, subjects learned a list of 40 common English words twice, in either one or two different rooms, and were tested in a third room (N = 60). In Experiment 2, subjects learned the same word lists, using either one or two modalities (audition and vision), and again were …


Though The Darkness Hide Thee: A Study Of Depression And Christian Spirituality, Katheryn Klukow Jan 2011

Though The Darkness Hide Thee: A Study Of Depression And Christian Spirituality, Katheryn Klukow

Modern Psychological Studies

The study of depression and its effect on Christian spirituality is sparse at best. This study seeks to integrate the disciplines of psychology and theology in order to better understand the effect depression has upon spirituality. A survey of literature, both recent and historic, sheds light on the hypothesis that depression causes spiritual distress. Particular emphasis is given to the writings of the Puritans, who were prolific on the subject. Original qualitative research involving the interviews of depressed subjects is presented. Implications for clinical treatment and suggestions for further research are put forth.


Front Matter Jan 2011

Front Matter

Modern Psychological Studies

No abstract provided.


Gender Difference In Perceiving Aggression Using The Bobo Doll Studies, Dorothy Altin, Jessica Jablonski, Jennifer Lyke, Marcello Spinella Jan 2011

Gender Difference In Perceiving Aggression Using The Bobo Doll Studies, Dorothy Altin, Jessica Jablonski, Jennifer Lyke, Marcello Spinella

Modern Psychological Studies

The general conclusion of Albert Bandura's Bobo Doll studies was that the children learned aggression through watching an adult hit an inflatable doll. Other researchers have questioned whether the behavior demonstrated in these studies was actual aggression or just simply imitation. This study examined the perceptions of male and female observers when viewing original footage of the Bobo Doll Studies, specifically if the observers interpreted the child's behavior as aggression or simply imitation and if the sex of the observer or sex of the child in the video affected these ratings. The participants completed both a Likert scale rating of …


Hyperfeminity And Body-Related Constructs, Breanne R. Forrest, Suzanne L. Osman Jan 2011

Hyperfeminity And Body-Related Constructs, Breanne R. Forrest, Suzanne L. Osman

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between hyperfemininity and body esteem, body shame, and surveillance. Participants were 130 female undergraduate students taking an introductory psychology course. They were administered the Hyperfemininity Scale, the Body Esteem Scale and two subscales of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (Surveillance and Body Shame). As expected, hyperfemininity was positively associated with surveillance and body shame. Unexpectedly, hyperfemininity was not associated with body esteem. These findings suggest that hyperfeminine women may be at greater risk than non-hyperfeminine women to objectffr themselves and feel shameful when they compare their bodies to internalized …


Examining The Rapid Non-Classical Effects Of 17 Beta Estradiol On Sexual Advertisement Behavior Of The Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), John T. Garretson, Spencer L. Gobbel, Christine M. Lewis, Luis A. Martinez, Aras Petrulis Jan 2011

Examining The Rapid Non-Classical Effects Of 17 Beta Estradiol On Sexual Advertisement Behavior Of The Golden Hamster (Mesocricetus Auratus), John T. Garretson, Spencer L. Gobbel, Christine M. Lewis, Luis A. Martinez, Aras Petrulis

Modern Psychological Studies

Female Syrian hamsters engage in vaginal scent-marking (VM) to advertise their sexual receptivity. VM is facilitated by estrogen; however, the hormone's mechanism of action is unknown. Classically, estrogen binds to intracellular receptors and promotes gene transcription to eventually affect behavior. Estrogen may non-classically and rapidly affect behavior via binding to membrane localized receptors. In order to determine how estrogen modulates VM, VM levels were examined in 10 female hamsters across several hormone conditions. Levels of VM were assessed across 3 trials in intact, normally-cycling subjects. These trials were repeated following ovariectomy. A final set of trials were conducted in ovariectomized …


Experience-Dependent Synapse Formation And Implications For Developmental Psychopathology, Monica Lawson, Meg Upchurch Jan 2011

Experience-Dependent Synapse Formation And Implications For Developmental Psychopathology, Monica Lawson, Meg Upchurch

Modern Psychological Studies

Experience shapes neural circuits in the brain. This review explores current research in neuroscience on experience-dependent synapse formation in mice. Studies using the chessboard trimming paradigm are analyzed to provide information on the effects of partial versus complete deprivation. The resulting formation of transient spines and new persistent spines indicates the impact experience has on shaping neural pathways. Research on long-term sensory deprivation in the adolescent and adult somatosensory cortex indicates that once brain pathways are established in adulthood, they are difficult to change. Together these findings are applied to the questions presented in the literature of developmental psychopathology, such …