Digital Commons Network^™

Gender Differences In Gross And Fine Motor Abilities In Preschool Aged Children In West Virginia, Kelly R. Pennington

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences in gross and fine motor abilities in preschool aged children in West Virginia. Subjects consisted of 21 males and 16 females. Data was collected via the West Virginia Educare Initiative using the Carolina Curriculum for Preschoolers with Special Needs. Results of this study indicate that there are no significant gender differences in either gross motor or fine motor abilities in preschool aged children.

Reactive Attachment Disorder : Diagnosis, Assessment, And Treatment, Kimberly A. Rees

Graduate Research Papers

In recent years, there has been an increasing trend toward the use of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) as a diagnosis to describe myriad problem behaviors and disturbed interactions between infants, young children and their caregivers. There is considerable disagreement about what RAD actually entails and, in particular, what types of assessments and treatment interventions to use with affected children and families (Hanson & Spratt, 2000). This paper is intended to clarify what the current research states about Reactive Attachment Disorder. It includes the definitions and diagnosis, importance of attachment, biological components, risk factors later in life, assessment, and treatment available …

The Effect Of Repeated Experience On Children’S Suggestibility Across Two Question Types, Martine B. Powell, Kim P. Roberts

Psychology Faculty Publications

There is a discrepancy in the literature regarding the effect of repeated experience on children’s suggestibility. Some researchers have concluded that repeated experience increases children’s suggestibility for variable details whereas others have reported no detrimental effect. This study demonstrated that the type of question used to test memory (cued-recall vs. yes/no questions) could account for the different reported conclusions. Children aged 5-6 years took part in an event either once or four times. Three or 21 days later, they were given a suggestive interview about the single/final occurrence of the event during which half of the event details were inaccurately …

Children's Ability To Distinguish Between Memories From Multiple Sources: Implications For The Quality And Accuracy Of Eyewitness Statements, Kim P. Roberts

Psychology Faculty Publications

Identifying the sources of memories (e.g., who carried out an action, whether an event happened or was suggested, when an instance of a repeated event occurred) is an important skill in providing accurate accounts of events in forensic investigations. Sensitivity to the nature and development of children’s source-monitoring skills can inform interviewing practices. Five perspectives addressing alternate aspects of the development of children’s source monitoring are outlined (source-monitoring theory, fuzzy-trace theory, schema theory, the person-based perspective, and the mental-state reasoning model). Six main areas of empirical research stemming from these theories are then discussed with emphasis on how the findings …

A Comparison Of Fatal School Shootings In Rural Communities, Scott T. Kidd, Cheryl L. Meyer

School of Professional Psychology Faculty Publications

Disturbing new patterns have marked the occurrence of recent lethal school violence where young offenders have targeted large groups of fellow students as their victims. The current study is an effort to understand this growing trend of youth violence. Based on analysis of several cases that occurred between 1996 and 1999, a profile of the offenders is suggested built on similarities and differences between cases that were researched. Data was collected from online databases and internet websites for various news organizations. Sources of data included reports from national, regional and local newspapers, newsmagazines, wire services, interview transcripts, and reports posted …

Agency In The Life Course: Concepts And Processes, Lisa J. Crockett

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The capacity of humans to influence their lives has long been a theme within Western literature, philosophy, and psychology. In recent years, the theme of human agency has crystallized in the psychological literature in the concepts of control, self-regulation, and self-efficacy. As a result, considerable attention has been devoted to the psychological processes through which control is exerted, such as cognitive appraisals, goal setting, and planning, as well as control beliefs and the potentially debilitating effects of loss of control (e.g., Bandura, 1997; Boekaerts, Pintrich, & Zeidner, 2000; Carver & Scheier, 1998; Seligman, 1975). Although this body of work has …

Review Of Communication Disorders In Multicultural Populations, John Stephen Brantley

Faculty & Staff Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Co-Occurring Disorders Problem Gambling Integrated Treatment Workbook, Kathleen Moore, Chad O. Matthews, W. Michael Hunt, Laura Pape

Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications

In this stage (which will be discussed in Module 8 in more detail) the client has achieved abstinence for at least six months. As relapse of substance use and gambling disorders is common, one important goal is to help maintain an awareness that relapse is possible and to take steps to minimize the chan ces of relapse occurring. A second goal of this stage is to expand the client’s recovery to other areas of functioning such as social relationships and health. Comm on strategies include developi ng a relapse prevention plan, participating in self-help groups , and working on rehabilitation.

Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment Manual, Kathleen A. Moore, Chad Matthews, W. Michael Hunt, Laura Pape

Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications

This manual was created over a period of several months through the efforts of a working group comprised of substance abuse treatment practitioners and researchers affiliated with the Tampa PIC/Suncoast Practice and Research Collaborative project. The manual was field tested in several treatment agencies in the Tampa Bay area, and was then refined through feedback received by practitioners and clients regarding the manual’s utility, ease of comprehension, and perceived relevance of the material to their needs.

This manual provides a guide for conducting treatment groups related to co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Counselors should feel free to adapt …

Physician-Related Determinants Of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Caribbean Women In Toronto, Ilene Hyman, Punam Mony Singh, Marta Meana, Usha George, Lilian M. Wells, Donna E. Stewart

Psychology Faculty Research

BACKGROUND: Minority women in Canada are less likely to be screened for cervical cancer than their counterparts in the general population, despite the fact that the proportion of these women who consult a general practitioner about their health each year is similar to minority women. This study examined the physician and practice characteristics associated with Pap testing and perceived barriers to Pap testing of family physicians serving the Caribbean community of Toronto.

METHODS: A mail-back questionnaire was sent to Toronto family physicians practicing in neighborhoods with a high proportion of Caribbean Canadians.

RESULTS: Although 79.7% of the 64 participating physicians …

Review Of Communication Disorders In Multicultural Populations, John Brantley

Faculty & Staff Research & Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism, Peripheral Indexes Of Serotonin Function, And Personality Measures In Families With Alcoholism, Scott F. Stoltenberg, Geoffrey R. Twitchell, Gregory L. Hanna, Edwin H. Cook, Hiram E. Fitzgerald, Robert A. Zucker, Karley Y. Little

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

A functional polymorphism in the regulatory region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) is considered to be a plausible candidate gene for anxiety-related personality traits and for alcoholism. Empirical support for the association between 5-HTTLPR and psychological traits has been somewhat inconsistent; however, observations of the functional dominance of the low-activity s-allele over the l-allele have been more consistent. When studying the influence of particular genes on psychological traits, it seems useful also to assess more biological intermediate traits that may mediate the effects of those genes on the traits of interest. The present study examined relationships between 5-HTTLPR genotype, …

The Importance Of Behavioral Interventions And Stimulant Medication Effects On Reducing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Elizabeth Alvarez

Graduate Research Papers

Overall, various avenues of research state that ADHD is a complex disorder that requires treatment by multiple modalities. Most research states that a combination of medication and behavior therapy is necessary to resolve the symptoms. It should be noted that the dose of stimulant medication prescribed to a child with ADHD should be adjusted based on the child's response to a behavioral intervention, as well as the combination of the behavioral and pharmacological treatments. Rapport et al. (1982), as well as others, have found that medication alone will not "cure" ADHD. But with multiple methods of treatment the symptoms will …

A School Psychologist's Role In Decreasing Eating Disorder Prevalence In School-Aged Children, Natalie Muth

Graduate Research Papers

Eating disorders have dramatically increased over the last 20 years, resulting in prevalence rates exceeding other high-incidence medical conditions treated in the educational setting. Chapter 2 presents a review of literature covering eating disorder identification, history, prevalence and epidemiological data. Theoretical perspectives, risk and protective factors, symptoms, and medical complications are also reviewed. Current assessment measures used for screening and diagnosing anorexia and bulimia is additionally presented along with a summary of school-based primary prevention programs. The second chapter concludes with a brief overview of eating disorder treatment.

A summary is presented in chapter 3 along with implications for school …

Prosocial Development In Early Adulthood: A Longitudinal Study, Nancy Eisenberg, Ivanna K. Guthrie, Amanda Cumberland, Bridget C. Murphy, Stephanie A. Shepard, Qing Zhou, Gustavo Carlo

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Consistency of measures of a prosocial personality and prosocial moral judgment over time, and the interrelations among them, were examined. Participants’ and friends’ reports of prosocial characteristics were obtained at ages 21– 22, 23–24, and 25–26 years. In addition, participants’ prosocial judgment was assessed with interviews and with an objective measure of prosocial moral reasoning at several ages. Reports of prosocial behavior and empathy-related responding in childhood and observations of prosocial behavior in preschool also were obtained. There was interindividual consistency in prosocial dispositions, and prosocial dispositions in adulthood related to empathy/sympathy and prosocial behavior at much younger ages. Interview …

Commentary And Reply To: Would Smokers With Schizophrenia Benefit From A More Flexible Approach To Smoking Treatment?, Tony George, Jennifer Vessicchio, David G. Gilbert, John R. Hughes, Dennis E. Mcchargue, Suzy B. Gulliver, Brian Hitsman

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Treating Tobacco Addiction in Schizophrenia: Where do we go From Here?
Yes! Smokers with Schizophrenia will Benefit from More Flexible Treatment Approaches
Rigidity in Measures of Smoking Cessation
A Reply to the Commentaries on Schizophrenia and Smoking Treatment: More Research is Needed

Antisocial Alcoholism And Serotonin-Related Polymorphisms: Association Tests, Elizabeth M. Hill, Scott F. Stoltenberg, Katherine Harris Bullard, Sheng Li, Robert A. Zucker, Marget Burmeister

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Central serotonin dysfunction appears to be related to a subtype of alcoholism with antisocial impulsive features (type II; antisocial alcoholism). The serotonergic deficit may be associated with greater impulsivity, which in turn facilitates both alcohol dependence and antisocial behavior. The present study tested association of antisocial impulsive alcoholism with candidate genes related to serotonergic neurotransmission, using families. Eight markers were assayed using polymerase chain reaction: tryptophan hydroxylase (intron 7), the serotonin transporter SLC6A4 (VNTR 9/12), HTTLPR, the three serotonin receptor types HTR1B (G861C), HTR2A (T102C) and HTR2C (Cys23Ser), monoamine oxidase A (T1460C), and (CA)_n. Eligible probands had early …

Food Sharing: A Model Of Manipulation By Harassment, Jeffrey R. Stevens, David W. Stephens

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Most analyses of food-sharing behavior invoke complex explanations such as indirect and delayed benefits for sharing via kin selection and reciprocal altruism. However, food sharing can be a more general phenomenon accounted for by more parsimonious, mutualistic explanations. We propose a game theoretical model of a general sharing situation in which food owners share because it is in their own self-interest—they avoid high costs associated with beggar harassment. When beggars harass, owners may benefit from sharing part of the food if their consumption rate is low relative to the rate of cost accrual. Our model predicts that harassment can be …

A Question Of Revenge: Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy And A Proposed Diminished Capacity Defense For Homicidal Mothers, E. Selene Steelman

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note argues that Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSBP) should be legally recognized as a severe mental disorder, allowing defendants to use a diminished capacity defense in cases of accidental filicide. The author critiques the legal system's inconsistent treatment of MSBP, which often focuses on the physical harm to the child while neglecting the mother's mental state. By acknowledging MSBP as a psychiatric disorder, the law could achieve more nuanced outcomes that consider both the act and the defendant's mental condition, reducing stigma and promoting fairness in criminal liability assessments.

Book Review Of Mental Disability In Victorian England: The Earlswood Asylum 1847-1901, Michael Ashley Stein

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Descriptive Multiple Case Study Of Caucasian Female Suicide Attempters: Risk And Protective Factors, Janice Johnson Browne

Dissertations

Problem

Suicide is a problem globally and in the United States. Suicide rates for youth have remained particularly high. Caucasian men complete more suicidal acts than women, but women are more frequent suicide attempters. To gain information about the phenomenon of female suicide attempting, it is important to study the attempter. Awareness of risk and protective factors is necessary to intervene and prevent future incidences of suicide and suicide attempting.

Methodology

For this research a descriptive case study design was utilized. Three suicide attempters who had attempted suicide one or more times in the past was the sample population for …

High School Coaches' Perceptions Of Sport Psychology And Sport Psychologists, Jonathan W. Barnes

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Food Restriction On Wheel Running In Rats, Vanessa M. Lopak

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The impact of food restriction and refeeding on wheel running was examined in 3 groups of rats: 55 day old male rats in Experiment 1; 140 day old male rats in Experiment 2; and 180 day old female rats in Experiment 3. After a baseline period of 24 to 40 days wheel experience with ad lib food access half of the animals were food restricted for 16 days by being given a limited amount of food daily to reduce (and maintain) their body weight at 85% of their baseline weight. After food restriction the rats were returned to ad lib …

Individual Differences In Behavioral Responses To Novelty And Amphetamine Self-Administration In Male And Female Rats, J. E. Klebaur, Rick A. Bevins, T. M. Segar, M. T. Bardo

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Previous work has shown that individual differences in locomotor activity in an inescapable novel environment can predict acquisition of amphetamine self-administration. The current study examined whether individual differences in approach to novelty in a free choice test could also predict amphetamine self-administration. Further, the current study examined whether individual differences in either free choice or inescapable novelty tests could predict responding for a nondrug reinforcer (sucrose) in the presence and absence of amphetamine. Male and female rats were first tested for their response to free choice novelty (playground maze and novelty-induced place preference tests) and inescapable novelty. They were then …

Anger, Child Behavior, And Family Distress: Further Evaluation Of The Parental Anger Inventory, Georganna Sedlar, David J. Hansen

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Presumably, anger is a common experience of parenting. Although practitioners and researchers recognize the role of anger in various parenting situations, objective and standardized measures of parental anger have been notably lacking in the field. This study examined the Parental Anger Inventory (PAI), a measure developed specifically to assess parental anger in response to child misbehavior. A diverse sample of 98 parents participated in the study, including (a) physically abusive or neglectful parents, or both, n = 44; (b) nonmaltreating clinic parents seeking assistance for child behavior problems, n = 24; and (c) nonmaltreating, non–help-seeking community parents, n = 30. …

Refugee Experiences Of Trauma And Ptsd Effects On Psychological, Physical, And Financial Well-Being, Karen J. Cusack

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Multimodal Assessment Of The Effect Of Chewing Gum On Nicotine Withdrawal, Lee M. Cohen, Dana M. Britt, Frank L. Collins, Mustafa Al-Absi, Dennis E. Mcchargue

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The present study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of chewing gum to reduce nicotine withdrawal, craving, and salivary cortisol concentrations during temporary nicotine deprivation. A total of 20 male smokers were studied under conditions when gum was and was not accessible during a 4-hour deprivation period. All subjects smoked an initial cigarette shortly after arrival for the two experimental sessions and were informed that they would be unable to smoke for the remainder of each session. The sessions consisted of each subject watching a movie, then waiting in the lab for two consecutive 30-min intervals. Self-reported nicotine withdrawal and …

Rumination And Cigarette Smoking: A Bad Combination For Depressive Outcomes?, Malia Richmond, Bonnie Spring, Beth Kaplan Sommerfeld, Dennis E. Mcchargue

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Ruminative coping has been shown to heighten the risk and severity of depression. The authors hypothesized that ruminators who smoke would experience greater depressive symptoms than ruminators who do not. The rationale is that, by heightening attentional focus, nicotine may increase ruminators' ability to focus on negative thoughts, augmenting depressed mood. Participants (N = 145) self-reported smoking status, rumination, and current and lifetime depressive symptoms, including depressed mood. Results showed that rumination accounted for a larger amount of variance in current and past depressed mood and severity of lifetime depressive symptoms among smokers than nonsmokers. Noncorrelational, experimental research should …

The Credibility Of Recovered Memory Testimony: Exploring The Effects Of Alleged Victim And Perpetrator Gender, Brian H. Bornstein, Stephanie L. Muller

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Objective: The purpose was to explore the effects of victim/complainant and perpetrator/defendant gender on the impact of recovered memory testimony in criminal sexual abuse trials.
Method: A jury simulation methodology was used. Two hundred forty-six participants read a summary of a sexual abuse trial in which the following three variables were manipulated: the complainant's gender, the defendant's gender, and whether the complainant's memory of the alleged abuse had been "recovered" or remembered all along. Participants reached a verdict and rated the culpability and credibility of the parties.
Results: Compared to a case where the memory of the abuse had always …

Should We Essentially Ignore The Role Of Stimuli In A General Account Of Operant Selection?, Rick A. Bevins

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

An "Open Peer Commentary" on the article "A general account of selection: Biology, immunology, and behavior," by David L. Hull, Rodney E. Langman, and Sigrid S. Glenn.

The selectionist account of behavior is actually a focused discussion of operant selection. To this end, the authors essentially exclude stimuli from their analysis. This exclusion is inconsistent with the importance placed on environmental interaction in their general account. Further, this exclusion limits the generality of their account by missing important sources of stimulus-elicited behavior (e.g., classical conditioning).