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Short Term Retention Of A Positioning Movement Under Three Levels Of Interfering Task Conditions, Mark E. Conklin

Masters Theses

This study is concerned with the short term memory of a simple arm-hand motor response. The response is studied under three task conditions: (1) visual kinesthetic interference (’2 ) kinesthetic interference and (3 ) a rest condition generating no sensory interference. Five movement amplitudes (2, 6 , 12, 18 and 24 cm) and four intervals (0, 20, 40 and 60 seconds) are compared in this study. A total of thirty-six right-handed subjects were used; twelve subjects were tested under each of the three task conditions.

The findings do not support an interference theory of forgetting which has been theorized to …

Conditioned Punishment Of Self-Injurious Behavior, George Hunt

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Of Differential Reinforcement Effectiveness As A Function Of Type Of Task, Jeffrey W. Erickson

Master's Theses

Two tasks and four reinforcers were used to determine whether or not reinforcer effectiveness is in part dependent upon the type of task involved. An equal number (40) fifth and sixth grade children performed under each task condition

for 20 trials (arithmetic and sequential processing) and received one of four possible reinforcers (candy , "good ", grad e A, no­ reinforcer). The two dependent variables measured were time to complete either task and the number of errors mad e while performing upon one or the other task. A significant F was not obtained for either time or error scores at …

Avoidance And Escape Responses In A Free Operant Avoidance Procedure As A Function Of Avoidance-Shock Intervals, Kathleen M. Krumhus

Masters Theses

Rats were trained on an unsignalled shock procedure, using a two lever apparatus. Responses on one lever postponed the onset of electric shock for a specified time period, the Avoidance-Shock interval. A response on the second lever terminated shock and delayed the onset of the next shock eight seconds, the Escape-Shock interval. Shock was continuous until the subject depressed the second lever. Changes in response rate on both levers were recorded as a function of manipulations of the duration of the Avoidance-Shock interval.

If responses on both bars are summed, data obtained are comparable with findings obtained from the manipulation …

The Effects Of Chlorpromazine On Escape And Avoidance Behavior, Susan E. Bohlmann Lapato

Masters Theses

The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of a two lever escape avoidance paradigm as a potential drug evaluation procedure. In this procedure responses on one lever postponed the onset of shock for a fixed period of time while responses on the other lever were effective only in terminating shock. This procedure effectively separates the escape and avoidance behaviors of a single organism and should provide a sensitive baseline upon which to measure the specific effects of drugs upon these two behaviors. The specific and differential effects of three dose levels of chlorpromazine upon escape and avoidance behaviors …

An Analysis Of Polydipsia As Produced By A Multiple Schedule, Joseph J. Vaal

Masters Theses

Polydipsia and contrast effects are two behavioral phenomena produced by manipulations of the reinforcement schedules under which the organisms are behaving. The present study created a complex situation by subjecting rats to a multiple reinforcement schedule. This situation allowed simultaneous examination of both operant and induced drinking behavior. Furthermore, this situation allowed for an examination of possible schedule interactions with respect to the induced and operant drinking behaviors.

It was expected that the results of this study would show that behavioral contrast effects could be obtained in a polydipsic situation. Even though the expected results were not obtained, it is …

The Development Of Behavioral Contrast In Human Subjects, Joel Steven Ray

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Trusting Behavior In The Prisoner's Dilemma Task Among Appalachians, Helen R. Ankrom

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Prisoner's Dilemma (PD) game has been popular in recent years as an experimental tool in investigating social situations, particularly conflict situations. The reason for the popularity of the game is due, at least in apart, to the fact that in the PD, as in real life conflict situations, there is no rational solution. The solution depends on interaction between the players.

Behavioral Styles Of Computer Programmers - Revisited, Edward M. Cross

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper describes the second phase of a continuing research project concerned with the attributes associated with membership and success in the computer programming occupation.   The second phase of this research has differed some-what, both in intent and practice, from the first phase. First, the initial purpose of the study was to test an approach to job analysis which included the application of the principal instrument used in the study, the JAIM, or Job Analysis and Interest Measurement.1 The use of computer programmers as the subject group was the result of the investigator's previous career as a systems analyst and …

Influence Of Vicarious Reinforcement On An Observer's Speed Of Conflict Resolution, Nola R. Powell

Master's Theses

Conflict, expressed parsimoniously yet meaningfully, result from "competition between incompatible responses" (miller 1944). Conflict identified in this manner must be distinguished from a psychoanalytic definition invoking internal dynamic states and forces as explanatory concepts. In the interest of working with behaviors that are more readily observable and measurable, this paper will focus on conflict as defined in the first sense.

Lewin (1931), in particular, was instrumental in launching a concept of conflict based psychological field forces. Field forces, which were considered to be acquired, were said to have valences which had a point of application, strength, and direction. Valences could …

Proactive Transfer And Acoustic Similarity In Short-Term Paired-Assoicate Learning, Richard James Pittman

Master's Theses

Interference is the most prominent explanation of forgetting in verbal long-term memory (LTM). Interference theory generally holds that forgetting is due to the competition of associations learned during the retention interval rather than to the decay of memory traces. Proactive interference results when the competing associations are learned prior to the criterion associations, and retroactive interference results when the competing associations are learned after the criterion associations. Further explanation of retroactive inhibition (RI) and proactive inhibition (PI) in paired-associate (P-A) learning is found in the extinction hypothesis of interference theory. According to the hypothesis, interference is due to unlearning or …

Auditory-Visual And Temporal-Spatial Integration Ability Of Good And Poor Readers At Two Grade Levels, N.H. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

An investigation was made into the relation between grade level, reading ability and performance on six different auditory-visual integration tasks. The subjects, 38 second grade and 38 fifth grade students selected on the basis of their scores on the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test, were individually tested for ability to perform on the six tasks. The results showed a significant difference in ability to perform the integration tasks between the grade two and grade five subjects with the latter being better. A relation was found between reading level and certain of the integration tasks, with this relation varying between the two grades. …

Effect Of Preloading On Learned Food Aversions Due To Delayed Lithium Chloride Sickness, Richard L. Ferrise

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

It is a well established principle that reinforcement must quickly follow a response for learning to occur. The detrimental effects on learning of delays in reinforcement of 1-10 seconds have been repeatedly demonstrated during the past fifty years (Renner, 1964). When secondary reinforcement and mediating cues are eliminated, the delay of reinforcement gradient indicates little learning after delays of five seconds. Delay of punishment gradients parallel those obtained with positive reinforcement.

The Use Of Selected Films And Film Discussions In Modifying Social Distance In Elementary School Children, Stanton C. Baker

All Master's Theses

When conflicts involving interpersonal relationships arise within the school setting, it would appear appropriate to attempt to cope with these conflicts within the framework of the school; particularly the classroom. Many methods of modifying behavior through group procedures have been attempted with varying degrees of success. It was the purpose of this study to investigate the effectiveness of one such method; a fiIm-discussion technique. This program was developed to modify behaviors, attitudes and/or perceptions which interfere with the development of constructive interpersonal relationships within an elementary classroom.

Modification Of Deviant Behavior By Parents, Jeanne M. Gabourie

All Master's Theses

It is the purpose of this study (1) to determine if a child's deviant social behaviors can be effectively modified by his own parents; and (2) to determine if parents can be trained to use behavior modification techniques in the home.

An Empirical Study Of Measured Closemindedness And Intension As Exhibited Through The Response To Perceived Images, Kathleen A. Humphrey

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Attitudes Toward The Policeman Among First Grade Children, Rose Mary Zacharia Finnegan

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Level Of Experiencing As A Predictor Of Short-Term Play Therapy Outcome, Robert Francis Eme

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Behavioral And Physiological Effects Of Examiner Sex On Process And Reactive Schizophrenics, Rita Kluczny Mcdonald

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Reduction And Enhancement Of The Apparent Contrast Of Grid Patterns As A Function Of Brief Adaptation Durations, John Paul Bisaha.

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of The Rogers Park-West Ridge Area Showing The Relationship Of Perceived Mental Health Needs, Attitudes Toward Mental Illness And Selected Demographic Variables, Barbara J. Dydyk

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Mental Health Needs Of Different Age Groups Within An Urban Community As Perceived By Service Providers And Service Recipients Within That Community, Joel Laskin

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Exploratory Behavior And Affective Rating, Joseph P. Reser

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Anagram Solution Times: A Function Of Bigram Frequency And Versatility, Gene Edward Topper

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Color Vision In Mentally Retarded Children, Ralph M. Mesenbrink

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Validation Of The Automated Readability Index For Use With Technical Materials, Leroy John Delionbach

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

No abstract provided.

Release From Proactive Inhibition As A Function Of Pleasantness And Unpleasantness Of Encoded Verbal Materials, Fulton Cooper

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

No abstract provided.

Relation Between Tested Intelligence And Length Of Institutionalization In Children, Janet Eileen Sanders

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the tested intelligence of children in a public children’s shelter and the length of time these children had been institutionalized.

Detection Threshold For Heart Rate Change In Psychopaths, Recidivists And Normals, William K. Volner Jr.

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

To test this a three part study would be required. First, it should be determined if there is a difference between the threshold for perception of increased heart rate in psychopaths and normals in order to see if the problem is an attentional one. If such a difference were not found the next step would be to compare psychopaths and normals on the strength of the cognitive fear reaction to S_arm the source of which in this case is increased heart rate. Finally, if results show no cognitive fear attached to the awareness of their increased heart rate, …

A Correlation Between Self-Actualization And Communications Behavior, Joseph Whitney Alexander

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The planned, intensive group experience is the most rapidly spreading social invention of the century and, in the opinion of Carl Rogers, may be the most potent one. He recognizes such groups under varied labels such as T-groups, encounter groups, sensitivity training groups, and also as laboratories in human relations or as workshops in leadership, education, or counseling. Because of the emphasis on the fullest development of human potentials in most of these groups the theories and activities connected with them have come to be known as the Human Potential Movement.

The primary purpose of this investigation is to determine …