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Trends. Assassination As A National Security Tool: When Is Killing Time The Right Time?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the use of assassination as a national security tool.

Weapon Size Versus Body Size As A Predictor Of Winning In Fights Between Shore Crabs, Carcinus Maenas (L.), Lynne U. Sneddon, Felicity A. Huntingford, Alan C. Taylor

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

Relative body size (carapace width) and weapon size (chela length) were used as indicators of resource holding potential (RHP) in the agonistic behaviour of male shore crabs, Carcinus maenas (L.). Weapon size was found to be a more reliable predictor of the outcome of pairwise fights than body size. Crabs with longer chelae than their opponents were more likely to win fights than crabs with relatively larger bodies. Body size had less influence on the outcome of fights. Relative body and weapon size did not influence initiation of contests but did affect the likelihood of winning; however, this was significant …

The Effect Of Self-Focused Attention On Psychopathology, Keith Payne

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This study investigated whether self-focused attention is related to psychopathology in general or if, instead, specific types of self-focus are associated with specific disorders. Self-focus was measured as private self-consciousness, public self-consciousness, emotional self-reference, or performance self-reference. Personality measures included depression, phobias, 'health concern, obsessiveness, and disordered eating. Public self-consciousness was related to greater depression, obsessiveness, and disordered eating. Private self-consciousness was positively correlated with depression and obsessiveness. Performance self-reference was related to lower levels of depression and obsessiveness. The findings indicate that different types of self-focused attention are involved in different disorders. Results are interpreted with reference to self-awareness …

Triple Dissociation Of Anterior Cingulate, Posterior Cingulate, And Medial Frontal Cortices On Visual Discrimination Tasks Using A Touchscreen Testing Procedure For The Rat., T J Bussey, J L Muir, B J Everitt, T W Robbins

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Four experiments examined effects of quinolinic acid-induced lesions of the anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, and medial frontal cortices on tests of visual discrimination learning, using a new "touchscreen" testing method for rats. Anterior cingulate cortex lesions impaired acquisition of an 8-pair concurrent discrimination task, whereas posterior cingulate cortex lesions facilitated learning but selectively impaired the late stages of acquisition of a visuospatial conditional discrimination. Medial frontal cortex lesions selectively impaired reversal learning when stimuli were difficult to discriminate; lesions of anterior and posterior cingulate cortex had no effect. These results suggest roles for the anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, and medial …

Death Anxiety As A Moderation Factor On Sexual Behavior Related To The Risk Of Hiv Infection In Young Adults, John Hawes Jones

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This study was conducted to determine whether there is a relationship between level of death anxiety and risky sexual behavior that may lead to HIV/AIDS. It was hypothesized that the higher one's death anxiety level the less an individual would engage in high risk behavior. A sample of 151 young adult college students with a mean age of 22.6 years completed the Revised Death Anxiety Scale (RDAS). The survey also asked the participants to list the extent that they have engaged in six sexual behaviors known to increase one's risk of HIV infection. The participants also completed a 12 question …

Effects Of A Circuit Weight Training Program On The Body Images Of College Students, Pamela Ann Williams

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study was conducted to determine the extent to which participation in a circuit weight training program would lead to improvements in body image and physical self-efficacy, as compared to a matched control group. Thirty-nine experimental subjects participated in a 6-week circuit weight training class, while 39 subjects in a matched comparison group did not engage in any weight training. All subjects completed the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire, the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and the Physical Self-Efficacy Scale at pre- and posttest points. Experimental subjects also completed tests of muscular strength and the Reasons for Exercise Inventory. The results …

Subsystem Variables Associated With Positive Foster Mother-Foster Child Relationships, Meg Sandow

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Many researchers have explored variables that appear to influence a foster child's placement, and both researchers and theorists have noted the need for an overarching understanding of the variables that may affect a foster child's care and progress. This study examined four interlinking subsystems of foster care: the foster child, the family of origin, the foster parent, and the social worker. Data regarding relevant variables for each of these subsystems were analyzed by means of canonical correlations, factor analyses, a multiple regression, and zero-order correlations. Participants in the study were 42 foster children from the Chesapeake and Suffolk Departments of …

Trends. Globalization As A Projective Stimulus, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses how the political psychology of individuals, groups, organizations, and other entities change in an era of globalization.

The Political Psychology Of Deception Research Ii, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

A previous IBPP article (V. 2, No. 9, "The Political Psychology of Deception Research" described some of the complexities in assessing how psychological assessment instruments are vulnerable to deception--e.g., the purposeful "faking bad" of test takers. That article focused on some ethical Issues of deception research and the concept of the social transformation of knowledge that threatens reliability and validity of assessment instruments through time. The present article focuses on a methodological consideration in documenting the threat of deception to psychological assessment.

Political Assassinations: Primary Prevention In Representative Democracies, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes a social psychological approach to decreasing the probability of some political assassinations

A Moral Dilemma For The Political Psychologist: Decreasing Criminal Violence As Symptom, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes two approaches to decreasing criminal violence and the moral dilemma in choosing between them.

Condom Availability In New York City Public High Schools: Relationships To Condom Use And Sexual Behavior, Sally Guttmacher, Lisa D. Lieberman, David Ward, Nick Freudenberg, Alice Radosh, Don Des Jarlais

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the impact of the condom availability program in New York City public high schools by comparing rates of sexual activity and condom use for New York students and similar students in Chicago. METHODS: A total of 7119 students from 12 randomly selected New York schools and 5738 students from 10 Chicago schools participated in a cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: New York students, compared with Chicago students, reported equal rates of sexual activity but higher rates of condom use at last intercourse (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36). For higher-risk students (those with three or more sexual partners in …

Variation In Environmental Risk Perceptions And Information Sources Among Three Communities In El Paso, Theresa L. Byrd, James Vanderslice, Susan K. Peterson

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

The authors report the results of a pilot study of environmental risk and sources of environmental information in three socio-economically and culturally distinct communities in Texas.

A Framework For Assessing The Rationality Of Judgments In Carcinogenicity Hazard Identification, Douglas J. Crawford-Brown, Kenneth G. Brown

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Arguing that guidelines for identifying carcinogens now lack a philosophically rigorous framework, the authors present an alternative that draws clear attention to the process of reasoning towards judgments of carcinogenicity.

Commentary On Linda Mealey (1995), The Sociobiology Of Sociopathy: An Integrated Evolutionary Model, Scott F. Stoltenberg, Joseph L. Hernandez Cruz, Don Joseph Stein, Linda Mealey

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

[SFS] When Genotype × Environment (G × E) interactions are present, heritability estimates are not interpretable. Mealey cites abundant evidence for G × E interactions in the etiology of sociopathy, thereby completely undermining estimates of the heritability of sociopathy which form the foundation of her model. Without proper evidence for a genetic basis of sociopathy, Mealey’s sociobiological model collapses under its own great weight.

[LM] It is impossible to discuss the constructs “heritability,” “theory of mind,” and “normality” in a single coherent essay. The following three rejoinders address each of these exceedingly complex constructs individually, as each relates to the …

A Comparative Survey Of Job Prospects For The Period 1991-1996, Matthew C. Bell, Adam S. Goodie

Psychology

How discouraging is the job market for young scientists these days? It seems that most scientists who have tried to land a job in· recent years can tell you, unambiguously, "Very." Are prospects bleaker for some experimental psychologists than for others? To us, it subjectively seemed so. In an effort to answer this question more rigorously. we analyzed issues of the APS Observer Employment Bulletin, published by the American Psychological Society, from 1991-1996. Admittedly, the number of classified ads for jobs in a specific category is only one index of the job prospects for that category, but it is a …

On The Contribution Of Deficient Cognitive Control To Memory Impairment In Depression, Paula T. Hertel

Psychology Faculty Research

Research on cognitive biases in depression suggests that deficient control of attention underlies impairments in memory for emotionally neutral events. Such impairments might result from general difficulties in focusing and sustaining attention, specific and habitual priorities to attend to matters of personal concern, or both. This paper considers these alternative means of impairment in the context of a review of selected theories and findings; a test of the framework is illustrated; and related considerations are discussed.

The Abled, Disabled, And Enabled: Is Seeing The Difference A Learning Disability Or Merely A Crime?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article identifies many of the Issues underlying the controversy over providing special accommodations for people who state that they have learning disabilities.

Trends. The Imf, The World Bank, And Throwing The Scoundrels Out: Who Are The Scoundrels?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the ins and outs of the IMF and World Bank.

Parent And Teacher Perceptions Of Student Teacher Assistance Teams, Laura Dinning

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Student Teacher Assistance Team (STAT) method is one form of prereferral intervention that involves the problem-solving of teachers and other school professionals with the goal of obtaining more efficient and effective help for students in the regular education setting. After an examination of the research in the area of prereferral interventions, it was noted that few research studies mentioned parents' involvement in and none were found assessing parents' perceptions of the process. This study examines both parent and teacher perceptions of student teacher assistance teams (STATs) in a small rural county in Kentucky. Participants in the study involved 44 …

The Application Of Leadership Skills By Managers, Supervisors, And Group Leaders In A Small Manufacturing Company: Self-Management As A Transfer Of Training Method, Jason Chadwell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine if training in self-management principles would enhance the transfer of training in leadership skills to the work setting. Managers, supervisors, and group leaders of a small manufacturing company served as the participants for the study. Two training groups were formed, one which received training in leadership skills only and another which received training in leadership skills and self-management. Prior to and after training all participants completed a learning measure and were rated by subordinates, peers, and/or supervisors on the demonstration of leadership skills on the job. Results showed that training significantly increased …

Methods And Techniques Of Training Social Competency In Head Start, Kimberly Ely

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study was conducted to determine Kentucky Head Start teachers' perceptions about fostering social competency in preschool children. In addition, current techniques that teachers use to enhance social competency in students were examined. Information was gathered through a survey mailed to Head Start teachers in Kentucky. Of the 208 surveys mailed, 59 were returned. The majority of the respondents had a Child Development Associate degree and had been teaching for an average of nine years. Results of this study indicated Head Start teachers strongly agreed to the importance of teaching social competency, and the teachers agreed it should be a …

The Role Of Alcohol And Stress On Measures Of Depression And Anxiety Among College Students, Jeffrey F. Porter

Masters Theses

In clinical literature regarding the effects of regular alcohol use, psychological benefits of moderate consumption have been suggested (Neff & Husaini, 1982; Neff, 1984; Neff & Husaini, 1985; Neff, 1985; Neff, 1986; Neff, 1993, Lipton, 1994). Despite the diverse groups with which this theory has been examined, no published studies have lookeq specifically at the high-risk group of college undergraduates. Subjects were surveyed to assess their typical drinking behavior, the number of stressful events they had experienced within the past 12 months, their perceived social support, and depressive and anxiety symptoms they experienced within the seven days leading up to …

Group Therapy For Sexually Abused Adolescents : Assessment Of Coping Skills, Negative Beliefs, And Self-Esteem, Kimberly R. Akin

Master's Theses

The sexual victimization of children in an increasing crime problem in this country and is now also recognized as a serious mental health issue. It has been estimated that the risk of victimization could be as high as one in ten for boys (Finkelhor, 1979) and one in three for girls (Anderson, Martin, Mullen, Romans, & Herbison, 1993). Girls are eight times as likely as boys to suffer rape (Finkelhor & Dziuba-Leatherman, 1994). Prevalence rates estimate between 15% and 38% of women (Finkelhor, 1984; Herman, 1981) and 6% of men (Finkelhor, 1984) have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA).

There is …

The Development And Validation Of A Multicomponent Scale Measuring Aids Phobia, Jessica Purtan Harrell

Masters Theses

The development, reliability, and validity of a new instrument, the Multicomponent AIDS Phobia Scale (MAPS), is described. The results indicate that the MAPS has strong internal consistency and moderate test-retest reliability. In addition, an assessment of concurrent and discriminant validity indicates statistically significant correlations with other self-report measures of anxiety, hypochondriasis, obsessive compulsive disorder, and fear of AIDS. The results of a factor analysis indicate that the scale consists of 2 factors: fear of infection and fear of others/avoidance. The instrument appears to be a reliable and valid measure of AIDS Phobia and may prove useful for improving clinical assessment …

School Of Social And Systemic Studies Department Of Family Therapy M.S. Program Student Handbook 1997-98, Nova Southeastern University

College of Psychological Services / College of Psychology Postgraduate Student and Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Family Health And Concept Of God, Rodger K. Bufford, Doug Crawford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

The relationship between general family health and personal beliefs about God was investigated among undergraduate psychology students from a small Christian liberal arts college (N = 77; ages 18-65, M = 22.1; 65% female). Family health was measured by the Health/Competence factor of the Self-Report Family Inventory - Version II (SFI; Beavers, Hampson, & Hulgus, 1990). God concepts were measured by the 11 factors of the 75 item Concept of God scale (COG; Brinkman, 1989; Gorsuch, 1968). COG factors were grouped into healthy/positive, unhealthy/negative, and doctrinal/neutral. Results revealed significant positive correlations between family health and healthy/positive concepts of God and …

World Government And Black Helicopters: Psychological Factors Affecting Support For The United Nations, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes some psychological factors--too often ignored in debates and policy development--affecting support for the United Nations.

Torture, Interrogation, And Daily Hassles: Good Thoughts And Bad Thoughts, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article elaborates on some psychological stress reduction research in a political psychological and moral context.

Abusing Deaf Immigrants And Hearing No Evil, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the on-going abuse of deaf immigrants.