Digital Commons Network^™

Gender Bias Among Mental Health Professionals, Joan B. Schroering

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The frequently cited Broverman study (Broverman, Broverman, Clarkson, Rosenkrantz, and Vogel, 1970) has motivated a great deal research in the area of gender bias, particularly investigations into the attitudes of mental health professionals. After a review of the literature referencing the Broverman study, the current study, utilizing the research patterns set forth in that research, examines if and to what degree gender bias affects mental health professionals in the state of West Virginia. The results of this study indicate that mental health professionals across the state hold fairly equitable and balanced views of the male and female gender, with one …

Dispositional Hardiness And Women’S Well-Being Relating To Gender Discrimination: The Role Of Minimization, Mindi D. Foster, Kenneth L. Dion

Psychology Faculty Publications

Three studies examined whether personality-based hardiness would be associated with mental health benefits in contexts of gender discrimination. Hardy women encountering both a laboratory simulation and a hypothetical scenario of discrimination showed greater self-esteem and less negative affect than low hardy women. However, these benefits were mediated by the use of specific attributions, suggesting that the well-being in hardy women may have been achieved through minimizing the pervasiveness of discrimination. Study three showed this mediation pattern occurred only for participants exposed to higher threat scenarios versus lower threat scenarios of discrimination. Thus, minimizing the pervasiveness of discrimination may have been …

A Prospective Evaluation Of The Relationships Between Smoking Dosage And Body Mass Index In An Adolescent, Biracial Cohort., Theodore Cooper, R. Klesges, L. Robinson, S. Zbikowski

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

Acutely-Administered Ethanol Participates In Testosterone Synthesis And Increases Testosterone In The Rat Brain., Laura O'Dell

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

Program Evaluation Of The Practicum I Summer Program From A Student’S Perspective, Matthew J. Williams

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The organization, function, and value of the School Psychology Practicum I summer program at Marshall University Graduate College is examined. The perceptions of students recently completing the practicum are evaluated to determine their association with the program objectives. Data collection utilizes a questionnaire developed from the goals and objectives of the program and the criteria for evaluation of student performance. Frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and crosstabulation are utilized to assess the data. The students expressed an overall satisfaction with the practicum experience. The study’s limitations are explored and recommendations for program improvement are presented.

Gamma Oscillations Correlate With Working Memory Load In Humans, Marc W. Howard, Daniel S. Rizzuto, Jeremy B. Caplan, Joseph R. Madsen, John Lisman

Psychology - All Scholarship

Functional imaging of human cortex implicates a diverse network of brain regions supporting working memory—the capacity to hold and manipulate information for short periods of time. Although we are beginning to map out the brain networks supporting working memory, little is known about its physiological basis. We analyzed intracranial recordings from two epileptic patients as they performed a working memory task. Spectral analyses revealed that, in both patients, gamma (30-60 Hz) oscillations increased approximately linearly with memory load, tracking closely with memory load over the course of the trial. This constitutes the first evidence that gamma oscillations, widely implicated in …

Profiling Hazards: Profiling In Counterterrorism And Homeland Security, Randy Borum

Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Relationship Dimensions With Behavior Dimensions For First Time Expectant Fathers, Benjamin T. Cunningham

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Little research exists examining the behavioral and attitudinal changes of first-time expectant fathers. This study was designed to identify any significant relationship between assessment instruments classified as Relationship Measures and Behavior Measures. A longitudinal study of 23 first-time expectant fathers examining identifiable trends and assessment instruments was conducted by a 13 member cohort group. The study took place within 200 mile radius of the “Upper Ohio Valley.” A Correlation Matrix containing each instrument was chosen to examine the variables within Measure in an attempt to identify significant correlations. Results indicate significant correlations were observed between Anxiety in the third trimester …

A Social/Cognitive View Of Leaders With Visible Disabilities, George Adkins Jr.

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The present investigation examined the influence applicant disability status has on perceptions of leadership style, leadership potential and leadership behavior. 165 (78 females and 73 males and 14 people choosing not to disclose their age) undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Psychology courses were randomly assigned to one of three applicant disability status conditions (Non-Disabled, Visually Impaired, and Applicant Needing the use of a Wheelchair) and were asked to provide ratings that reflected their perceptions of the leadership style, leadership skills, and leadership behaviors likely to be exhibited by the applicant on the job. Participants used the Least Preferred Coworker …

Determinants Of Sexual Behaviour, Kevin Lalor, Cathal O'Regan, Siobhan Quinlan

Articles

No abstract provided.

Personality Profiles Of Iditasport Ultra-Marathon Participants, Kristin J. Stuempfle, Sherri Lind Hughes, H. Samuel Case, Deborah S. Evans

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Each February, competitors convene in Big Lake, Alaska, to participate in the “Iditasport Human Powered Ultra-Marathon”. Who would attempt this challenging race? Personality might be one factor predicting participation. Iditasport represents a unique athletic event with a distinctive social and psychological climate that might be reflected in the personalities of the participants in many ways. This study was designed to identify the personality profile of Iditasport athletes when compared to normative populations and to explore differences between athletes competing in different race divisions.

The Effects Of Social Support On Perceived Mood And Perceived Muscle Tension, Ashley B. Karr

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The researcher examined the effects of social support on stress reactivity following a moderate psychological stressor. The first independent variable (IV), social support, had two levels: alone (A) and pairs (P). The participants in the pairs level took part in the study with a friend. Participants in the alone level took part in the study by themselves. The second IV, period, had two levels: pre-stressor (Pre) and post-stressor (Post). Stress was induced with a mental arithmetic serial subtraction task and was measured by perceived mood state with the Perception of Mood States (POMS) and perceived muscle tension with the Nordic …

Guest Editors' Introduction: Psychology And The Church, Mark R. Mcminn, Amy W. Dominguez

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

No abstract provided.

Dysthymia And Major Depression : Distinct Conditions Or Different Stages Along A One-Dimensional Continuum?, Patrick Pössel

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Until recently researchers have discussed whether dysthymia and major depression represent distinct conditions or rather different stages along a one-dimensional continuum. This study addresses this question by examining the belief systems of normal, dysthymic, and depressed participants. We explored participants‘ beliefs and differentiated between positive and negative as well as between core and peripheral beliefs. Normal participants showed fewer negative beliefs and negative peripheral beliefs than the dysthymic group, whereas normal participants had more positive beliefs and positive core beliefs as well as fewer negative core beliefs than the depressed group. The hypothesized one-dimensional continuum could not be demonstrated for …

Sexual Harassment, Amy E. Street, Jane Stafford, Tamara A. Bruce

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Personal And Interpersonal Predictors Of Worry In Male And Female High School Students, Barbara Anne Davis

Masters Theses

This study identified which among several factors would best predict the tendency to worry in male and female adolescents. The potential predictors were divided into two different categories: personal and interpersonal factors. Personal factors included perfectionism, self-consciousness, and locus of control. Interpersonal factors included parental attachment, parenting style, and peer attachment.

Participants in the study completed several scales that measured the predictors. The data were then analyzed to determine the relative contribution of each factor in predicting worry, and to specify the factors that best predict worry. Gender differences in worry levels and in how the factors predicted worry were …

The Effects Of Practice With Decodable Texts On The Reading Fluency Of Low-Achieving First Grade Children, Nicole Forsythe

Masters Theses

This study examined the effect of a reading intervention using practice with decodable text on the reading fluency skills of four struggling first grade students. Participants received guided practice reading short decodable books twice a week for seven weeks. Pre and post-test standardized word reading scores were obtained using the Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE). Word reading fluency was assessed after each session by a list of words from the decodable texts. Results showed a marked improvement in each participant's fluency score, with all four participants at least doubling their baseline fluency as measured by words read accurately per …

Impact Of Service Delivery Model, Presenting Problem, And Consultee Characteristics On Teachers’ Preference For Academic And Behavioral Remediation, Kathy Wilson

Masters Theses

This study examined teachers' preferences for academic and behavioral remediation. Specifically, the impact of service delivery model (traditional or flexible), type of presenting problem (academic or behavioral), and selected consultee characteristics (age, years of experience, grade level taught, years at current school, and level of teacher education) on teacher preferences was investigated. Individuals completed a demographic information sheet and an analog study. The survey consisted of two hypothetical scenarios of two different students found within the classroom. The first scenario described a student who only exhibited behavioral/emotional issues. The second scenario described a student who presented with only academic issues. …

A Study Of Role And Function Differences Between School Psychologists Working Within The Flexible Service Delivery System And More Traditional Settings, Jaime L. Hahn

Masters Theses

Practicing school psychologists were surveyed including those working within the Flexible Service Delivery System (FSDS) and traditional settings. The questionnaires were completed by 91 school psychologists from throughout Illinois and Indiana. Participants completed questionnaires examining their specific role and function as a practicing school psychologist. Specific roles that each respondent was asked to rank used a Likert scale consisting of (1) Standardized Testing, (2) Curriculum Based Assessment, (3) Individual Therapy, (4) Group Therapy/Social Skills Training, (5) Consultation with Teachers, (6) Consultation with Parents, (7) Organizational Consultation, (8) Conducting Research, (9) Classroom Intervention, (10) Pre-referral Meetings, (11) Psychological Reports, and (12) …

Factors Influencing Substance Abuse/Dependence And Treatment Outcome Of Adolescents In A Residential Substance Abuse Program: An Exploratory Study, Melissa L. Moody

Masters Theses

Previous research examining the risk factors associated with alcohol and other drug use has primarily focused on the adult population. Few studies have investigated the factors which influence adolescent substance abuse and the respective effects on treatment outcome. This in spite of the considerable decline in the age-of-onset for problematic substance use that could, if gone untreated, escalate into dependence and a variety of other interpersonal problems which extend across the lifespan. Effective interventions targeting the adolescent population would therefore seem to be of utmost importance to both researchers and clinicians. It has been suggested that individualized treatment programs focusing …

Necessary Steps: A Bereavement Support Program For Children And Their Families, Michael Hass, Kathy Mccaleb, Annette Iversen, Karin Crilly

Education Faculty Articles and Research

A manual for running grief support groups for children.

Psychological Consultation With The Roman Catholic Church: Integrating Who We Are With What We Do, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

The purpose of this article is to detail one professional's experience in developing a close and collaborative professional working relationship with the Roman Catholic Church. This article highlights the integration of one's religious tradition with professional activities that are congruent, including assessment, psychotherapy, research and writing. Three principles for effective collaboration with clergy are presented: understand the faith tradition, develop a shared language, and expand the boundaries of professional activities.

Implicit Transfer Of Motor Ssrategies In Mental Rotation, Maryjane Wraga, William L. Thompson, Nathaniel M. Alpert, Stephen M. Kosslyn

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Recent research indicates that motor areas are activated in some types of mental rotation. Many of these studies have required participants to perform egocentric transformations of body parts or whole bodies; however, motor activation also has been found with nonbody objects when participants explicitly relate the objects to their hands. The current study used positron emission tomography (PET) to examine whether such egocentric motor strategies can be transferred implicitly from one type of mental rotation to another. Two groups of participants were tested. In the Hand-Object group, participants performed imaginal rotations of pictures of hands; following this, they then made …

The Effect Of Extracurricular Activities On School Dropout, Jilann M. Bush '03

Honors Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between participation extracurricular activities and school dropout. Social and classroom engagement were analyzed as possible mediating factors in the relation. Longitudinal data from a study conducted by French, Conrad, and Turner (1995) was used in the analysis, along with extracurricular data collected from school yearbooks. Hierarchal binary logistic regressions were used to assess the effect of participation in five types of extracurricular activities (athletics, fine arts, academic clubs, interest groups, and leadership positions) on school dropout rates as well as to assess the role of engagement in the relation. Participation …

Enduring Deep Sorrow: Depression Among Religious College Women, Kara E. Wolff '03

Honors Projects

The transition into college can lead to stress which can lead to depression in both men and women (e.g. Lopez & Gormley, 2002). Depression cripples both men and women. The lifetime risk of major depression is 10-25% for women and 5-12% for men (Greenspan, 2001). Mild symptoms rob men and women of energy needed for academic and social pursuits (Beeber, 1999). Depression results in poor over-all functioning, emotional behavioral problems and low self-esteem (Reinherz, Giaconia, Hauf, Wasserman & Silverman, 1999). Individuals with depression also have more problems in intimate relationships with friends and family (Reinherz et al., 1999). This exploratory …

The Effects Of A Parent-Child Communication Intervention On The Worries Of Siblings Of Children With Autism, Erin L. O'Neill '03

Honors Projects

This study was designed to assess the effects of parent-child activities on the siblings and parents of children with autism. Existing research suggests that the experience of having an autistic child in the family is highly variable and may have negative outcomes for the typical sibling. The difficulty in predicting sibling outcome may be caused by the lack of a theoretical framework organizing the factors hypothetically affecting sibling coping abilities, therefore a stress and coping model of siblings of children with autism is provided. Currently there has been only limited information reporting successful intervention efforts for this population. The current …

Understanding The Problem Of School Violence: Predictive Factors Of Bullying And Victimization, Alisha Santana

Modern Psychological Studies

With the recent surge in school violence, academics have been motivated to investigate factors that influence this tragic phenomenon. Parents, teachers, and other professionals have made broad generalizations as to why children act so maliciously, and some of the research confirms these common sense notions. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the literature and scrutinize its validity. The current paper examines research addressing predictive factors of both bullying and victimization. Results have shown that access to guns, parenting style, parental involvement, social networks, delinquency, social isolation, and prosocial behavior all are associated with bullying behavior. Similarly, victimization is related to …

Effects Of Ginko Biloba On Memory In Rats For Maze Tricks, Christopher Deleon

Modern Psychological Studies

Previous studies have investigated the effects of an extract of ginkgo biloba on acquisition, performance and retention in rats. It has been suggested that ginkgo increases mental precision by increasing blood flow to the brain. To determine whether ginkgo is a memory enhancer two female Sprague Dawley rats were tested for maze performance during four stages. Stages included four days of maze performance and four days of no maze performance. Subjects were tested in each stage with or without ginkgo in their water supply. It was predicted that subjects would show improved maze performance as measured by a decrease in …

Crime And Violence In Men With Schizophrenia: A Literature Review, Bianca Dijulio

Modern Psychological Studies

This literature review examines the strength of the relationship between schizophrenia and violence, symptoms associated with violence in schizophrenics, and two drug treatments associated with treating violence in schizophrenia. In terms of the relationship between schizophrenia and violence, schizophrenia does not surpass other mental illnesses in its association with violence; however, just as other mental illnesses do, it surpasses the normal population in levels of violence. Two symptoms, hostility and suspiciousness, are common in violent schizophrenics. In contrast, antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy have not been clearly associated with violent schizophrenics, most likely due to methodological problems. Similarly, hallucinations, delusions, …

The Impact Of Previous Operant Learning On Subsequent Maze Learning In Rats, Anissa Adams

Modern Psychological Studies

The inhibition or facilitation of additional learning is a subject that can be investigated with a controlled study. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in the effects of previous learning on the inhibiting or facilitation of additional learning. This study was designed to examine whether or not previous learning (continuous reinforcement in an operant chamber) affects how swiftly a rat learns how to run a maze when compared to naive (untrained) rats. A total of nine rats were used, five were previously CRF trained and the remaining four were experimentally naive. Each rat was deprived of water …