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School Of Social And Systemic Studies Catalog 1999-2000, Nova Southeastern University

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

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Is There A Need For Speed? : Risky Driving Behaviour And Young Male Drivers : A Review Of The Literature, Catherine A. Ferguson

Theses : Honours

Young male drivers have been identified as a high risk for Motor Vehicle Accident. This paper reviews three components for accident risk: the driving environment, society and individual factors associated with accident histories. Possible predictors for identifying young men at risk for accident involvement are driving behaviour, driving attitude and sensation seeking. Protective factors to reduce the incidence of risky driving in youth might include legal restrictions, increased education and training. The paper recommends that future research tests the above predictors for a relationship with accident involvement in young men.

Children's Reactions To Aggressive And Submissive Peers, Natalie Honey

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this study was to investigate children's attitudes towards aggressive and submissive peers. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design was used to test the hypotheses. The three between-subjects variables were (a) the label given to the target child (aggressive/submissive) in a vignette, (b) the nature of the behaviour displayed in a critical incident (aggressive/nonaggressive response) as described in a vignette, and (c) the sex of the participants. A sample of 169 Year 6 and 7 students was divided into four groups containing at least 20 girls and 20 boys. A survey was administered to measure the …

The Status Of Workplace Violence In The United States: A Model For Prevention And Intervention, Linda Meliza Moore

Masters Theses

This paper examines the scope and causes of workplace violence, the second leading cause of death in the U.S. workplace today. A comprehensive review of existing literature is presented and a new model for prevention and intervention of workplace violence is proposed for use by practitioners. Suggestions for further data collection and research are presented so that further refinement can be made to workplace violence prevention and intervention models.

Technology, Professional Practice, And Ethics: Survey Findings And Implications, Mark R. Mcminn, Trey Buchanan, Brent M. Ellens, Molly K. Ryan

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

If a psychologist loses treatment records because of a computer failure, is it an ethical violation? The widespread growth of technology has outpaced the development of ethical standards for questions such as this, resulting in areas of uncertainty for psychologists. Four hundred twenty psychologists in independent practice rated the ethicality and their frequency of using 40 technologies. Technologies pertaining to the support functions of a psychologist's office are commonly used, but those technologies directly affecting clinical services are rarely used. More than half of the 40 items received equivocal ratings on ethicality, suggesting psychologists need guidelines and training for the …

The Relationship Between Religious Beliefs, Moral Development, Self-Control, Peer Pressure, Self-Esteem, And Premarital Sex, Jacynth A. Fennell

Dissertations

Problem. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if there is any relationship between religious beliefs, moral development, self-control, peer pressure, self-esteem, and premarital sex, providing for a comprehensive framework for understanding this phenomenon.

Method. Subjects were 148 undergraduates attending three schools in different geographic regions within the United States. Subjects were primarily between 18 and 25 years old. A survey was completed by 148 students. Data-were analyzed using Analysis of Variance and Independent-Samples t test.

Results. Of the 148 students who participated in the study, 38% were Black, Hispanic, 38% were White, non-Hispanic, 10% were …

The Relationship Between Afrocentric Worldview And Marital Satisfaction In African-American Couples, Ganz E. Ferrance

Dissertations

Problem. It has been argued that many of the theories attempting to explain African-American culture derive from a Eurocentric framework, and thus paint a negative and pathological picture of the African-American family and community. What is needed is research examining African-American family life which holds Afrocentric culture and beliefs as its foundation. Consequently, this study is an attempt to investigate the relationship between Afrocentric cultural consciousness (Afrocentric worldview) and marital satisfaction of spouses of African descent.

Method. This study used a correlational and ex post facto research design involving surveys to assess the relationship between the dependent variable …

Self-Esteem, Personal Control, Optimism, Extraversion, And The Subjective Well-Being Of Midwestern University Faculty, Shawn Lee Zimmerman

Dissertations

Problem and Purpose

Although recent summaries of subjective well-being have illuminated four primary covariants, little research has been done that addresses the interaction and combined effects of these variables, limiting the development of theory and practice, especially in the population of university faculty. This research sought to address the interaction of self esteem, personal control, optimism, and extraversion when measured together, and how they combine in relation to subjective well-being in a sample of Midwestern university faculty.

Methodology

A total of 233 surveys was collected from two Midwestern university faculty populations. These surveys measured self-esteem, personal control, optimism, extraversion, subjective …

A Survey Of Sexually Abusive Experiences In Childhood Amongst A Sample Of Third Level Students, Kevin Lalor

Articles

The following survey is an investigation into the nature, incidence and effects of childhood sexual abuse as experienced by a sample of third level students in Dublin. Unwanted sexual experiences whilst under the age of sixteen were surveyed. Response rates were high and indicate that unwanted sexual experiences prior to age sixteen are experienced by some 30% of female respondents. Indecent exposure was the most frequently reported experience. This figure falls considerably for contact and penetrative forms of abuse. Long term effects of non-contact forms of abuse were most frequently reported as embarrassment. More acute effects, such as suicidal tendencies, …

The Relationship Between Transportation Mode Choice And Well-Being: An Ecological Perspective, Carolyn King

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The present study is based on an ecological analysis of transport and wellbeing as devised by Stokols and Novaco (1981). This study seeks to examine the link between transport mode and well-being. One hundred and eight Participants (N= 1 08) filled out a questionnaire that contained the psychological well-being scales of self-efficacy, general health and perceived stress; and the organizational scales of job satisfaction and absenteeism. The participants were divided into groups of 18 according to which transport mode they used. The transport mode groups were drive alone, train, bus, car pool, walk or cycle. It was hypothesized that there …

The Relative Importance Of Barriers To Cervical Cancer Screening In Older Women : A Review Of 140 Women And Their Pap Smear Providers, Nerida Beaumont

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Cervical cancer remains a significant cause of death in women. There is a notable age related decrease in levels of screening and women aged over 50 years with later, more invasive disease. One hundred and forty women aged between 50 and 69 years (M "'58.21 years) and 23 Pap smear providers completed a Cervical Cancer Screening Questionnaire designed to identify the relative importance of barriers to attendance for cervical screening, as well as providers own barriers and issues. Responsibility for health, familiarity with, and ratings of the usefulness of Pap smears were the major dimensions along which regular and non-regular …

The Perception Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Values : Is Value Incongruence Related To Social Distance?, Lauren Jennifer Breen

Theses : Honours

This review examines prejudicial actions directed towards outgroups as a function of personal values and the perception of the values held by other groups. Prejudice is a result of social and cognitive categorisation. Although it is well learned, prejudice is not inevitable, if individuals attend to and control their prejudicial thoughts. Pleasurable interaction, cooperation, equal status, and making humanitarian values conspicuous serve to reduce intergroup conflict. It was proposed that values motivate approach and avoidance behaviours directed at outgroups, and both belief congruence theory and expectance-value theory arc relevant in explaining such behaviour.

Needle Localization For Breast Biopsy: The Patient's Experience, Marian De Walt Morgan

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The needle localization procedure for breast biopsy (NLP) can be painful and distressing for some women. This study was carried out to learn what factors might increase or decrease NLP pain and distress, and to gain insight into possible interventions to make the procedure more comfortable for all patients. One hundred and thirty-eight women were surveyed following breast needle localization at two central Virginia hospitals. The influence of eight variables (lidocaine, self-regulation, anxiety, worry about breast cancer, breast tenderness, finding mammography painful, difficulty with surgery, and distress of blood drawing) on four outcome variables (pain incidence, pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, …

Trends. Letter Bombs In Australia: A Psychological Commentary, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the psychological aspects of letter bombers.

Modern Sexist Attitudes Toward Female Supervisors, Eric Dulaney

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Despite the passage of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, women employed by an organization generally remain in the entry level positions, while their male counterparts are promoted throughout the organization's hierarchy. Although there are many theories that attempt to explain the reasons for this disparity between men and women in the workforce, one of the popular attributions is sexism. In this study, the investigator applied the theoretical framework of Modern Sexism to examine modern sexist attitudes toward female supervisors. Three hundred and twenty-two undergraduate students were asked to fill out several sexism measures and to evaluate vignettes of male …

Science Experiences Of Six Elementary Student Teachers: A Case Study, Jacqueline K. Wilcox

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study focused on the science experiences of six elementary student teachers. The purpose of the study was to learn how preservice teachers make meaning of science teaching during their student teaching experience. The sources of data were interviews with participants, descriptive field notes from observations of their science teaching, and artifacts collected from the site. The themes that emerged from data analysis were personal and professional career influences and constant adjustments of teaching strategies. The participants experienced these themes in varying intensities.

Learning to teach science to elementary children for the first time is complicated by the context …

Information Warfare And The Hacktivist, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article provides comments on the significance of hacktivism.

Trends. The Political Psychology Of Economic Policy: Is The Emperor Wearing No Clothes? Is There An Emperor?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the global economic crisis.

Assassination: A Tool Of Terror Management Or Of Counterterrorism?, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes Issues relevant to evaluating assassination as a viable tool of governmental security policy to counter terrorism. The creative inspiration and much of the research for this article was accomplished by IBPP Research Assistant and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student Lou Adesso III.

Gender Types, Self-Esteem, And Academic Achievement In Middle School Students, Kimberly D. Noll

Student Work

The relationship among gender typing, self-esteem, and academic achievement was investigated in 314 middle school participants. Participants were administered the Children’s Sex Role Inventory (CSRI) and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory-School Form (CSEI). The results of the CSRI and CSEI were compared to each participant's score on the California Achievement Test (CAT). Analysis of variance, chi-square, and Pearson product moment correlation's were utilized to assess relationships among the variables. Results indicated that, in the current sample, self-esteem and achievement were unrelated, aschematic characteristics were correlated with high achievement, girls exhibited higher achievement than boys, both boys and girls responded most frequently …

Sexual Seduction, Illicit Sex, And Licit Sex: International And National Leaders As Targets Of Intelligence Operations, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes the varied consequences that could be achieved by a hostile intelligence service through effecting the sexual seduction of an international or national leader or through exploiting ongoing illicit or licit sex engaged in by that leader.

Trends. Sharing Data On Missile Launches: A New Version Of An Old Idea, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

In this article, the author discusses the agreement that was announced, the United States and Russia, to quickly share data about the launch of ballistic missiles and space payloads.

Condensing The Field: Internet Communication And Gestalt Community, Philip Brownell

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This article examines the influence of internet communication on the Gestalt community from the standpoint of the field. Drawing on current internet sources, field theorists, and Gestalt therapists, the work describes the internet. explaining key field dynamics, and it concludes that the global community of Gestalt therapy is undergoing rapid change due to internet influence. That community is being enriched; it is becoming more aware of itself, and consequently its individual members are experiencing a professional camaraderie made more complex and more richly connected. At the same time, because of this increasing connectedness, it is also condensing. lnternet communication is …

From Winning Hearts And Minds To Shaping Behaviors: Nation-Building As A New Psychology Of Antiterrorism, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes a qualitative change in the psychology of antiterrorism through nationbuilding activities.

Popular Culture And The Mass Media In The Service Of Politics: The Wounds Of Gender Representation, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article identifies and analyzes the phenomenon of gender representation as it impacts on the political application of popular culture and the mass media. Political authorities' social control and political leaders' and candidates' attractiveness are of special concern. For explanatory support, the article employs a "star" of popular music--viz., rock n' roll music from the United States--from the interlude 1956-1957.

"Reasonable Person" Vs. "Reasonable Woman": An Evaluation Of The Standards Used In Determining Hostile Work Environment Sexual Harassment, Allison Maue

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Currently, there is a debate in progress over which standard is appropriate for use when evaluating hostile work environment sexual harassment. Traditionally the "reasonable person" has been used as the viewpoint from which to evaluate potentially harassing behavior. However, the historical 1991 federal court case Ellison vs. Brady introduced the "reasonable woman" standard due to the belief that the traditional standard may unwittingly be biased toward men. Most research to date has focused on the benefits and/or disadvantages of utilizing one standard over the other. The present research represents an attempt to discover whether the implementation of a standard truly …

Influence Of Viewing Dramatic Television And Perceived Risk Of Victimization On Crime-Specific Fear, Eric Barth

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictability of the fear of property and personal crime in relation to viewing dramatic or violent television. The study was carried out using the viewpoint that the viewing of violence, which is symbolically communicated through the medium of television, does affect the fear of crime. A questionnaire was administered in the spring of 1998 to students of a mid-South regional university. The sample consisted of 619 undergraduate students. Descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. The results of this study suggest that watching violent television …

Mdma And Learning: Effects Of Acute And Neurotoxic Exposure, Thomas P. Byrne

Dissertations

In two experiments, the effects of MDMA were examined on the acquisition of lever-press responding by rats exposed to procedures in which water delivery was delayed by 0, 10, or 20 seconds. In the first experiment, naive, water-deprived rats received an intraperitoneal injection of MDMA (0, 1.0, 3.2, or 5.6 mg/kg) prior to one experimental session. Response acquisition was observed under all conditions at all drug doses. MDMA increased both response rates and reinforcers earned in a dose-dependent fashion, but only when reinforcement was immediate. Under conditions of delay, MDMA had no effect on the number of lever presses emitted …

A Computer/Tutorial System Compared With A Workbook/Tutorial System For Presenting Instructional Material To At-Risk Elementary School Students, Vincent O. Hodge

Dissertations

Two different ways of presenting instructional material and reacting to students’ responses were compared. One, taking advantage of several features of multimedia instruction involved a desktop computer and various computer-presented consequences of correct and incorrect responses (largely chosen by the student). The other consisted in presenting the same instructional materials (the SRA primary curriculum) in a workbook form with tutors' comments and praise as the main form of response consequence. The two methods were compared with respect to various measures of student and system performance, including student accuracy (percent correct responses), types of errors, amount of correct response repetition (over-responding), …

A Comparison Of Relation-Breaking Behaviors, Relation-Maintaining Behaviors, And Maternal Sensitivity In Population Of Handicapped And Non-Handicapped Infants, Karol Basel

Student Work

The infant enters the world with certain abilities that allow him or her to interact with the environment. Early on infants demonstrate a preference in viewing the human face (Fantz, 1968) and selectively responding to the sounds of human speech (Eimas, Sigueland, Jusczyk, & Vigorito, 1971). The early development of perceptual sensitivities enable the infant to become a partner in the social environment. It has been suggested that the ability to engage in social interactions provides the infant with the structure to organize cognitive and affective experiences (Stern, Beebe, Jaffe, & Bennett, 1977). Through the interaction process the infant first …