Digital Commons Network^™

Beliefs Of Violence-Sensitive And Violence-Tolerant People, Amethyst Brell

Senior Honors Projects

Every person views the world through a different lens, and one can never fully understand the motivations and opinions of someone else. However, experiments and statistics can shed some light onto people’s thought patterns and behaviors. When horrific acts of violence occur, many people strive to understand why they happen. Through my study I hope to help solve some of the mysteries behind the different ways people interpret violence. I want to see why some people tend to be more sensitive to violence and why some are more tolerant of violence. I am doing this by building on previous research …

Rhode Island Family Court And The Best Interests Of Children, Alexandra Arnold

Senior Honors Projects

With the continuous rise of the divorce rate in America, there is also an increase in the number of children and adolescents who must suffer through the divorce along with their parents. For some, the divorce is a relief and can be a positive change in their lives. For others, it is difficult and devastating, filled with conflict and tension. Whatever the circumstances, there are permanent effects that children experience as a result of their parents’ divorce. These effects of divorce on children are becoming better known as generations of children grow up in a single parent home. The court …

Lasser Voir: Experimental Film Revealing The Dichotomy Of The Mind, Valerie Kitchin

Senior Honors Projects

Lasser voir is a French term meaning to show; to allow to be seen. The film is meant to interpret the internal genesis from dual perspectives. Absolute Good and absolute Evil coexist fighting each other eternally. The challenge is to create a vision of the form of good and the form of evil, thus showing the interior and exterior struggle between the two. Good and Evil appear as the same individual: each opposing one another in ethereal battle through the channel of artistic interpretation. The concept originates from the writhing movement within the mind. It cannot live without Good, but …

The Media’S Influence In Everyday Life On Women’S Perception Of Body Image, Sarah Christian

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Many women are not satisfied with their current body figures and frequently attempt to improve their figure. Body image discrepancies occur when a comparison between “actual” self to either “ought” or “ideal” selves don’t match up. If there is a difference between these two self-guides then a discrepancy exists. According to a national survey, half of women report negative evaluations of their appearance and worry about being or becoming overweight. One of the strongest socio-cultural pressures that women face with their body image is the media, such as magazines and television. Studies have shown that when exposed to thin body …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Supplemental Labels In Museum Exhibits, Clint B. Eliason

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The present study used an experimental design to investigate the efficacy of using short (12 words or less), prominently placed supplemental labels to increase the effectiveness of select extant labels in museum exhibits. The experimenter-developed supplemental labels were designed to leverage exogenous/bottom-up and endogenous/top-down sources of influence on selective attention. Measures of patron behavior, knowledge retention, and attitude found no significant differences between group means under control and treatment conditions. These outcomes were surprising and inconsistent with findings from similar research conducted by Hirschi and Screven. The supplemental labels in the present study might have failed to capture attention because …

Measuring Empathy, Feedback, Therapeutic Alliance, And Outcome With Sexual Offenders, Adam G. Fenske

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Research has found the therapeutic alliance to be the strongest predictor of successful outcomes from treatment (Orlinsky, Ronnestad, & Willutzki, 2003) . While many populations have been studied to determine successful outcomes through the strengthening of the therapeutic alliance, psychological literature lacks research targeting the specific group of sexual offenders. The present research addressed this gap in psychological literature. Research focused upon three treatment groups involving 19 sexual offenders. The study investigated four hypotheses: (a) symptoms will be reduced as a result of treatment, (b) helping alliance will improve over time in treatment, (c) the strength of the helping alliance …

College Athletes’ Human Figure Drawings, Kaitlin Taggart

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The demands of both lean and non-lean sports upon male athletes can lead to body image dissatisfaction and eating disorders. This study explored whether the Human Figure Drawing (HFD) is a valid method for assessing male college athletes’ body image. A total of 86 male athletes who were competitive on a lean (cross-country or wrestling) or non-lean (football or ice hockey) sport participated in the study. The score recorded on the Male Body Attitude Scale (MBAS) (Tylka, Bergeron, & Schwartz, 2005), a 24-question survey administered to each participant, focused specifically on assessing muscularity, body fat, and height attitudes of these …

The Relationship Between Gender, Bmi, Self-Esteem, And Body Esteem In College Students, Adriana Pilafova, D. J. Angelone, Katrina Bledsoe

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between body esteem, selfesteem, and Body Mass Index (BMI) for college students. It was hypothesized that men would have higher self-esteem and body esteem than women. It also was hypothesized that lower BMI would be associated with greater self-esteem and body esteem. The sample consisted of 72 men and 81 women from a small northeastern college. In addition to several demographic questions, participants completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults. There were statistically significant relationships supporting both hypotheses. Compared to women, men had higher …

Beauty Ideals & Body Image: Suva, Fiji, Melissa Kong

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Fiji is a country rich with traditions and culture. For many decades, the two dominant ethnic groups in Fiji- Indo-Fijians and Indigenous Fijians- have maintained their distinct cultural values and practices. As a country that is currently experiencing westernization, technological advancement, and the influx of mass media, cultural traditions, lifestyles, and ideals are changing rapidly. One such change from the traditional past is the emergence of a new body ideal and different beauty standards. In this research project, connections will be made between the past and present in regards to body and beauty ideals in Fiji. The differences and commonalities …

Gender Differences In Auditory Perception Of Pure Tone Frequencies And Speech Intelligibility Via Bone Conduction Transducers, Meghan Leigh Hodges

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

Two experiments were conducted to see if gender differences exist in bone conduction hearing processes. The first experiment was a pure tone study where hearing thresholds for six pure tone frequencies and four bone conduction skull locations were measured in 15 male and 15 female participants to determine if gender differences exist in auditory signal detection. As frequency of the pure tone signal increased the difference between genders’ hearing thresholds and mean ranks of threshold overall; however, when Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests were performed, significant differences between genders for bone conduction were only found for the mastoid location at 6000-Hz and …

Alcohol Trends Among Native American Youth: A Look At A Reservation In Nevada, Sancheen Collins

McNair Scholars Research Journal

American Indian Youth living on Reservations are at greater risk to be involved with alcohol and drugs at an early age and are more likely to dropout of school as a result than White, Hispanic and African American Youth.1 The purpose of the study is to identify and compare the current trends in alcohol use among American Indian adolescents in order to understand which services will better serve this population. The review of the literature examines the alcohol trends among the general population of adolescents in living in the United States, as well as the contributing factors and distinct characteristics …

Causes & Perceptions: An Exploratory Study Of Suicide In Indo-Fijian & Fijian Youth, Marcie L. Grambeau

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In a culture that is extremely religious, traditional and conservative, one may not first assume that suicide is one of Fiji’s leading causes of death amongst its youth population. However, the number of suicides today is one of the highest in the world and is rising at alarming rates. This study was designed to understand the underlying pressures that directly affect Indo-Fijian and indigenous Fijian youths, both the majority race in Fiji. The study focuses mainly on interviews conducted in the urban area of Suva but includes references to the rural areas, where a large number of suicides occur. The …

Are People Getting Crazier?, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

Terrorism, murder, suicide, drunken driving, addictive gambling, pornography, and religiously inspired violence all provide plenty of evidence that behavioral and emotional problems that are ultimately destructive to self and others are often at the root of so many global, national, and local crises. All these troubles in the world prompt several basic and fundamental questions.

From Arachne To Charlotte: An Imaginative Revisiting Of Gilligan's "In A Different Voice", Erika Rackley

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of A Still-Photo Computer Module Without Feedback On Ergonomic Behaviors, Rhiannon M. Fante

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a still-photo computer training module without feedback on safe positioning of individuals performing an assembly task and a lifting task using a multiple baseline design across behaviors and tasks. The study took place in an analogue office setting and participants were 6 college students. The dependent variable was the percentage of observations scored as safe and each session was recorded via a hidden camera. During each session, participants completed a 5 minute assembly task followed by 2 lifts and this task sequence was repeated a minimum of four …

Tornar-Se Negro & Thinking Beautiful, Ayana Hosten

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In 1990, the census reported that Brazilian’s population was 55.3 percent branco, 39.3 percent parda, 4.9 percent negro, and 0.5 percent Indio. In response to complaints that these racial identities were not sufficient, the IBEG conducted a survey where they asked people “Qual é sua cor?” This survey resulted in a list of 134 different racial identities that reflect the complexities of race in Brazil due to a history of miscegenation. At the two extremes of this racial spectrum is branco and negro. These two extremes have cultural and historical significance that I examine through scholarly research. In the field, …

Making Exit Interviews Useful To A Correctional Agency, Marian Layman, Laura Farris, Roni Reiter-Palmon, Erin Gallagher, Shawna Williams

Psychology Faculty Publications

Exit interviews serve as a tool to uncover departmental characteristics and areas in which departmental change should occur,¹ and they are effective in gathering information from departing employees regarding impressions and experiences in their department.² Ultimately, the goal of using exit interview questionnaires is to obtain objective information, increase efficiency of the interview process and evaluate aspects of the department through data analysis.³

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (DCS) contracted with the Center for Applied Psychological Services (CAPS) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to evaluate the reasons for personnel voluntarily leaving their jobs. This …

Datos Normativos Del Cuestionario Sobre El Comportamiento De Niños Versión Para Padres (Cbcl) Y Versión Para Profesores (Trf) En Una Muestra De Niños Venezolanos [Normative Data Of The Child Behavior Checklist (Cbcl) And Teacher's Report Form In A Sample Of Venezuelan Children], Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Isabel Montiel-Barbero, Joaquín A. Peña

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

The aim of the study was to obtain normative data for a representative sample of Venezuelan children for the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher's Report Form. The sample was constituted by 1141 children, boys and girls aged 5 to 12 (Mean= 8.79; SD=1.85), 49% female and 51% male. Socioeconomic status was significant in a way that low SES parents scored their children as having more problems. Gender has an effect on the scores; males were perceived with more behavior problems than girls for both parents and teachers. Parents and teachers did not show agreement in the assessment of the …

37th Annual Wku Student Research Conference, Student Research Council, Western Kentucky University

Student Research Conference Select Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Influences Of Identities And Social Connectedness On Self-Objectification, Melissa Grey

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

According to objectification theory, girls and women are socialized to adopt an external observer’s view of the self. Self-objectification occurs when there is an emphasis on physical appearance and a de-emphasis and devaluation of internal and physical competence features, all of which have been related to negative psychological consequences. Trait self-objectification is chronic preoccupation with physical appearance that occurs with little or no environmental appearance cues. While self-objectification has been demonstrated in diverse samples, research suggests self-objectification is particularly prominent for women. This study investigated the relationships between different feminist and sexual identities and trait self-objectification. A sample of 187 …

Culturally Adapted Mental Health Treatments: A Meta-Analysis, Derek Griner

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years psychologists have increased awareness and concern regarding the quality of mental health services provided to people of color. For several reasons clients of color often find traditional mental health services foreign or unhelpful. To help diminish obstacles faced by clients of color, several authors have advocated traditional mental health treatments be modified to better match clients' cultural contexts. Researchers have also begun investigating outcomes associated with culturally modified mental health treatments, often contrasting them with traditional mental health services. Recently numerous studies containing empirical data have been published. To date there has been no attempt to review …

Stability Of A Normal Heterosexual Female Response To Affinity 2.0, Kara L. Harmon

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the temporal stability of a normal heterosexual female response to the Affinity 2.0, a newly standardized viewing time (VT) instrument that purports to measure sexual interest. Participants were 120 female undergraduate and graduate students from a private university (mean age = 21.67 years) who met inclusion criteria of non-pedophilic interest/history, identified as “Exclusively Heterosexual" on the Kinsey Scale, and who took the Affinity 2.0 both at test and at retest (approximately two weeks later). Participants also filled out a questionnaire following the retest composed of demographic questions, a shortened version of …

Legislation, Litigation, Regulation, And Implementation Of Paraprofessional Supervision In School Settings, Sungti Hsu

Theses and Dissertations

Since the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) of 2004, there is a strong emphasis on the supervision of paraprofessionals who provide instructional assistance to classroom teachers. Scholars have stressed and litigation has highlighted the importance of paraprofessional supervision. However, there is limited information regarding the definition of supervision, who should and how that supervision should happen. The NCLB and IDEIA legislation leaves room for states to establish state regulation and litigation to interpret supervision. This study explored the current litigation and scholarly works concerning how …

Hope For The Fatherless?: A Grounded Interpretive Approach, Anna Manja Larcher

Theses and Dissertations

Psychology's literature regarding fatherlessness is not only grim, mainly pointing out the negative consequences of fatherlessness, but it also does not provide much specific information about fatherless individuals' experiences. A pilot study revealed that fatherless individuals do not always suffer from the loss of their father and that they also have the ability to overcome the negative consequences commonly associated with father loss. The research questions for this study presented themselves naturally after reviewing the literature and after considering the results of my pilot study, namely, “What do fatherless individuals actually experience in being fatherless, and what is the nature …

It Is Not Worth Learning If It Is Not Remembered: Designing E-Learning To Increase Memory, Paula C. Engelbrecht, Tamas Makany, Katie Meadmore, Richard Dudley, Itiel E. Dror

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The collation, storage and retrieval of information are essential components of successful learning. Whether information is retained depends on a variety of factors, including how the information fits with an individual’s existing knowledge, the way in which information is presented, and its complexity. Some of these factors are under the direct control of the e-learning designers and developers. Investigating these factors and how they impact on memory is important and can enhance the quality of e-learning. Evidence from cognitive neuroscience suggests that information is stored in a semantically meaningful manner. It follows that e-learning technologies, which either mimic how knowledge …

Giving The Learners Control Of Navigation: Cognitive Gains And Losses, Tamas Makany, Paula C. Engelbrecht, Katie Meadmore, Richard Dudley, Edward S. Redhead, Itiel E. Dror

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

E-learning often involves exploration of the information space that is somewhat similar to the exploration of space in the real world. Initial paths taken in any environment (be it a physical, virtual, or any other type) will not only guide the discoveries of what the environment contains, but also formulate the underlying organising principles. The suggested route in an art gallery frequently presents artworks that are either chronological or conceptually tied together. Deviating from this –and taking a route of our own, if at all possible– might be either confusing or insightful. The structure of the information, and the control …

The Social Construction Of Authorship: An Investigation Of Subjectivity And Rhetorical Authority In The College Writing Classroom, Johannah Rodgers

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Although we use the term author on a daily basis to refer to certain individuals, bodies of work, and systems of ideas, as Michel Foucault and other critics have pointed out, attempting to answer the question “What is an Author?” is by no means a simple proposition. And, starting from the position that there is no single, or definitive answer to this complex question, this dissertation seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion of the genealogy of authorship by investigating the ways in which conceptions of the author have informed models of the writing subject in the field of rhetoric …

An Analysis Of The Subjective Socioeconomic Scale Among Hispanic Immigrants And Caucasians, Mathew Glen Bowden

Theses and Dissertations

Subjective socioeconomic status (SES) has previously been shown to be correlated with a large number of health measures. In this study, the subjective SES measure is modified and translated to measure childhood SES. The subjective SES scale is examined in a participant's hometown, community, and nation. Both an immigrant Hispanic and a Caucasian sample were studied (31 Hispanic males; 42 Hispanic females; 38 Caucasian males, 40 Caucasians females). Childhood SES was the most significant predictor of self-reported health in both sample groups.

Ciis Today, Spring 2007 Issue, Ciis

CIIS Today

This volume is the Spring 2007 issue of CIIS Today, the Magazine of the California Institute of Integral Studies.

Contrasting Roles Of Neural Firing Rate And Local Field Potentials In Human Memory, A. Ekstrom, Indre Viskontas, M. Kahana, J. Jacobs, K. Upchurch, S. Bookheimer, I. Fried

Psychology

Recording the activity of neurons is a mainstay of animal memory research, while human recordings are generally limited to the activity of large ensembles of cells. The relationship between ensemble activity and neural firing rate during declarative memory processes, however, remains unclear. We recorded neurons and local field potentials (LFPs) simultaneously from the same sites in the human hippocampus and entorhinal cortex (ERC) in patients with implanted intracranial electrodes during a virtual taxi-driver task that also included a memory retrieval component. Neurons increased their firing rate in response to specific passengers or landmarks both during navigation and retrieval. Although we …