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The Effects Of Pictorial Stimuli On The Direction-Following Behavior Of Mentally Retarded Adolescents, Dennis J. Tucker

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Two groups of retarded adolescents were presented sets of multiple verbal directions (imperative sentences). One group was exposed to pictures illustrating the objects and action of each direction in addition to the verbal directions. Subjects were required to carry out performances demanded by the directions. The direction-following behavior of the Verbal + Picture Group was found to be significantly superior to that of the Verbal Group. The groups did not differ significantly in sequencing their performances, i.e., carrying out the verbal directions in the order in which they were presented. Two possible explanations for the superior performance of the Verbal …

Genetic And Ontogenetic Variation In Response To Scopolamine And D-Amphetamine In Three Strains Of Mice, Gary Remington

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Highly inbred mice of three strains (A/J, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J) were tested in an acitivity task at 14, 21, or 28 days of age. Ten minutes prior to testing, mice received treatment of either saline, scopolamine (0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg) or d-amphetamine (0.5, 1.0 or 5.0 mg/kg). At 14 days of age DBA mice exhibited higher levels of activity than either A or C57 mice. However, the increase in activity in C57 was such that at 21 and 28 days no difference was observed relative to DBA mice, and activity was higher than that of A mice. With respect to …

An Application Of Operant Conditioning In An Organizational Setting, Patricia Jo Knight

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of A Sensitivity-Encounter Group Experience Upon Self-Concept And School Achievement In Adolescent Underachieving Girls, Naughne' La Vonne Thomas

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Reduction In Dependence Upon Group As A Source Of Influence On Field Dependence, James L. Antram

All Master's Theses

Recent research has cast doubt on Witkin's stability hypothesis of the field-dependence-independence dimension. Prior research suggested reduction of external field influences results in a decrease in level of field-dependence. It was hypothesized for this study that a reduction in dependence upon a group as a source of influence would result in a concomitant reduction in level of field-dependence as measured by the Witkin Rod-and-Frame Test.

A Comparison On The State Dependent Effects Of Electroconvulsive Shock And Physostigmine On A Choice Task, Candace Susanne Brown

All Master's Theses

Two experiments compared the state-dependent effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and physostigmine relative to a normal state (saline or no injection). Rats were trained in a water T maze using a discrimination-training paradigm. In Experiment 1, discrimination was found between the ECS- and normal state. However, response control was strongest in the ECS-0 treatment-training order and on non-ECS training sessions. In Experiment 2, dissociation also occurred but was more pronounced in the P-0 (physostigmine-saline) treatment-training order and on the saline training sessions. Results from both experiments indicate learning is most rapid in the treatment-no treatment training order and that a …

Reality Conceptualization As A Factor In Socialization And Adjustment, Glen A. Frese

All Master's Theses

Forty-four high school students were involved in one of three separate classes. The target class received a conceptual framework and practice in identifying assumptions and evaluating their consequences. The object was to teach a process of self-evaluation. The other students received their regular class work. The POI was administered before and after to measure changes in values. The results were not significant but raised a question involving the structure through which behaviors and values are learned and internalized.

The Effects Of Experimental Manipulation Of Status On Signature Size, Karen Jensen Gillespie

All Master's Theses

This paper presents an attempt to change the size of a person's signature by changing his perceived status within the experimental situation.

Eight-four subjects were divided into four equal groups. Each group received two treatments, one of which was a status treatment, the other a success-failure manipulation. The results showed a significant difference in signature size between high and low status treatment groups. A significant variation was also noted between females in the success manipulation group and females in the failure manipulation group. The direction of this variation was opposite to predictions.

Recommendations included addition of a control group, presentation …

The Role Of Memory In Rule Learning Problems, Alan S. Kertes

All Master's Theses

Thirty-six college subjects who had taken a memory test from the Wechsler series were chosen from an introductory psychology class and divided into three memory levels (high, medium, and low). Twelve subjects from each of the memory groups were required to categorized geometrical stimulus patterns into positive and negative instances according to an unknown conceptual rule that prescribed a relationship between two known attributes. Each subject was assigned to one of three postfeedback delay intervals of 1.5, 20, or 30 seconds. Performance among the three memory levels was not statistically different even though differences from best to worst were apparent …

The Effect Of Environmental Enrichment On Delayed Alternation, Passive Avoidance And Exploration Behavior, David L. Knobel

All Master's Theses

Long Evans Hooded rats were reared in either perceptually complex (EC) or simple (IC) environments. As adults, exploration, delated alternation and passive avoidance task performance was investigated. The exploration level of the EC and IC reared groups was identical on Day 1, but on subsequent days the IC rats on delayed alternation and passive avoidance tasks was not found, but the alternation response was acquired with significantly fewer trials by EC rats.

Spatial Orientation Of Children In Dyads With Female Adults, Susan Menig Karstetter

All Master's Theses

Subjects were requested to enter the experimental setting, choose a chair, and sit while speaking to an adult female who listened to the child for two minutes. The distance and angle of seating were measured and studied with regard to the age, sex, grade level, height, handedness, academic achievement, size of chair used, and the listener.

The results indicated that seating distance was influenced by the sex, age and height of the subject and size of chair chosen. The angle of seating chosen was influenced by the sex and height of the subject and the size of chair chosen. It …

The Role Of Postfeedback Intervals In Rule Learning Problems, Donald E. Lloyd

All Master's Theses

Subjects classified bidimensional stimulus patterns of variable colors and shapes into positive or negative instances of the concept, according to one of three conceptual rules (Disjunctive, Conditional, or Biconditional). Four postfeedback intertrial intervals were used: 1.5, 5, 20, or 30 seconds. Performance on the Dj rule was significantly higher than either the Cd or Bd rule and there was no reliable difference between the later two rules. The postfeedback delay was not a reliable source of variance among all rules, but did yield significant differences within the Bd rule. Inconsistent performance trends in the Cd and Bd rules as the …

Low Intensity Footshock Examined As A Possible Reinforcer For Sensory Deprived Rats, Ron J. Madesh

All Master's Theses

Two experiments were performed, first to test the footshock threshold for rats reared in the Central Washington State College rat colony and second to test for reinforcing effects of low level footshock for sensory deprived subjects. The threshold study consisted of an active avoidance situation with a low intensity footshock as the conditioned stimulus. Using the method of limits, thresholds were established (using 200k. ohms resistance in series) at 19.10 Vac and 22.60 Vac for sensory deprived and control subjects respectively. The second study tested for preference for footshock versus no footshock in an open shuttle box situation. No significant …

The Generalizability Of Learned Helplessness, Ian J. Grabenhorst

All Master's Theses

While it has been experimentally demonstrated that "learned helplessness" can be conditioned in a number of species, the subjects commonly employed have been dogs. This paper presents an attempt to investigate "learned helplessness" in rats (a variant of the Long-Evans strain), and examine the question of its generalizability from shock as an aversive stimulus to noise. It also explores the possible generality of "helplessness" to exploratory behavior in an open field. The results demonstrated that the Ss were susceptible to "helplessness" conditioning across shock conditions; however, "helplessness" did not generalize across shock to noise conditions. The present study also showed …

Reversal Shift Performance By Young Children As A Function Of Stimulus Presentation Mode, Beverly Faye Miller

All Master's Theses

The present study required three groups of Ss (gifted preschoolers, average preschoolers, and first graders) to solve a reversal shift (R). It was hypothesized that greater verbal competency among any of the three groups would lead to superior performance on the R shift. The results indicated that first graders performed significantly better than the average preschool children on the R shift. Also the performance of the first graders was reliably superior to the gifted children on one postshift phase analysis; on the remaining postshift comparisons a visual trend in the same direction was observed. Three separate stimulus presentation modes were …

Ideal And Real Self Concept Disparity: A Temporal/Educational Comparison, Maurice Marvin Sanders

All Master's Theses

This paper presents a comparison concerning the effects of age and formal education upon the self-esteem or self-value of individuals. Four groups -- Freshman, Seniors, and their non-college peers -- described their ideal and real selves, using the modified California Q-Sort. Statistical comparison of absolute differences by group showed age to be significant, education not significant, and the interaction very significant. Freshman were significantly the lowest in self-esteem.

Recommendations included the application of these findings concerning Freshman and suggestions for additional research.

Learning Of Facilitative Interpersonal Skills In Para-Professional Training, H. A. Suffron

All Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of Helping skills: a basic training program in the acquisition of facilitative interpersonal skills. A Solomon Four Group Design was used with 34 upper division college students as Ss. Analysis of variance and post-hoc comparisons revealed significant effects on measures of interpersonal skills. Analysis of a questionnaire revealed positive outcomes and suggested improvements for the program. It was concluded that the program merits further research and application.

Locus Of Control And Achievement Incentive In A Risk Taking Situation, Frederick Gordon Carr

All Master's Theses

High and low achievement incentive conditions on the risk taking behavior of subjects identified on the Rotter Internal-External Control Scale as having orientations of internal or external control were examined.

The study involved tossing balls at a target in which subjects chose throwing distances. Successes from greater distances were worth more points. A five dollar incentive was offered to half the subjects.

Males took higher risks than females but no other significant differences were found.

The Effects Of Pattern Of Extraneous Auditory Stimuli And Sex On Vigilance Performance, Paul G. Fisher

All Master's Theses

Eighty introductory-level psychology student volunteers performed a sweep-clock perceptual vigilance task. Each subject was exposed to one of four noise conditions: 65-dB constant noise, 100-dB constant noise, 100-dB regularly-intermittent noise and 100-dB variable intermittent noise. No overall effects of pattern of presentation schedule of noise on performance were found. Time-related changes in three measures, correct detections, reaction times, and incorrect detections plus sex differences in reaction times, were found. In the regularly-intermittent condition females showed a greater time-related decrement in correct detections than males and made fewer incorrect detections. With intermittent background stimulation the time-related change in incorrect detection rates …

Therapeutic Conditions And Helpee Outcomes As Perceived By Helpees Of Trainee And Lay Helping Relationships, Penelope Holmes

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences that occur between lay and trainee helpers as perceived by their helpees. A significant positive relationship between helpee perception of outcome and therapeutic conditions was hypothesized. A questionnaire was administered to 100 individuals: half had received help from lay persons and half were clients of counseling trainees. A significant interaction between outcome and conditions occurred and six comparisons between lay and trainees were significant. Although there was a trend in the expected direction, the hypothesis was not supported.

The Effects Of Extraneous Stimulation And Activity On Performance In A Recognition-Memory Task, Richard Armstrong

All Master's Theses

Reaction times of 36 subjects in a recognition-memory task were used to evaluate the effects of extraneous stimulation and activity upon memory processes. No significant effect of noise on RT was suggested. A linear increase in reaction time as a function of memory load was found in all noise conditions. When the recognition-memory task was accompanied by a simultaneous shadowing task, a significant difference in the positive and negative reaction times was suggested.

Field Dependence And Field Independence On A Series Of Inverted Field Tasks, David R. Murphy

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Roles And Functions Of The School Psychologist And The Counselor: Perceptions Of School Psychology Trainees And Counselor Trainees, Leslie A. Englehart

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Into The Effects Of Knowledge Of Peer Group Evaluation Upon Self-Concept Change, Janice Marie Beyer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Reward Magnitude Following Nonreward And Punishment, John Santoso

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Four groups of 12 rats each received constant medium size rewards of nine 45 mg Noyes pellets prior to nonrewarded (N) and nonrewarded punishment (P) (0.25 rna shock of 0.1 sec duration) trials and either large (L) size rewards of sixteen 45 mg pellets· or small (S) size rewards of two 45 mg pellets following N and P trials in a runway. Following acquisition each of the four groups was randomly subdivided into either continuous N or continuous P extinction conditions. This resulted in a two X two X two completely randomized factorial design with the variables and its levels …

Personality, Interest And Motivational Correlates Of Persistence In Religious Vocations, Charles Noty

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Actor And Observer Bias In Causal Attribution: The Effects Of Consistency And Perspective, Joseph W. Wuerth

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Development Of The Self Concept In Black And White Children, Jeanne F. Beglis, Anees A. Sheikh

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

The impact of the recent "black nationalism" movement, as manifested in such phenomena as the emphasis on "black is beautiful," the appearance of many more Blacks on television and in advertising, and heightened racial tension, is undoubtedly having a considerable effect upon this generation of black children. It could be predicted that the self-concepts of these children are being affected by this new social climate, and perhaps there is an increasing emphasis on racial pride in their self-perceptions.

This study, a comparison of the self-concept of Negro and white children, attempted to control the socio-economic level, a factor which has …

The Effects Of N-Length And Iti On Resistance To Extinction In A Free-Operant Situation, Raymond Kenworthy Mulhern Jr.

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The prediction of Capaldi's sequential learning theory (i966, 1967, 1970) that resistance to extinction (Rn) increases as a function of the number of successive nonrewarded trials (N-length) conditioned to the instrumental response has recently been supported in a discrete-trials leverpress situation but not in a free-operant leverpress situation (Wolach & Ferraro, 1971). To investigate this discrepancy, 32 male albino rats were trained to leverpress in the presence of a visual s^D under one of two N-length conditions (8 or 16) and one of four intertrial interval (ITI) conditions (5, 10, 15, or 30 sec.), the lowest of which corresponded …

The Children's Schedule Of Recent Experiences As A Predictive Test Of Behavior Problems Of Children Entering First Grade, Alcie Anne Griffith

Dissertations and Theses

The thesis provides a survey inquiring about recent life events in children to determine predictive behavior for first grade. It is based on the Social Readjustment Rating Scale.