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The Effect Of Temporal Separation On Performance Of A Discrimination Task, Stanley Dale Winter

Masters Theses

Test trials, consisting of the selection of two color cubes from a set of three different color cubes, were presented with: (1) a 15-second time delay between trials, (2) a single-color selection task between trials, (3) an unrelated motor task between trials and (4) no interspersion between trials. All Ss performed the task with more accuracy when test trials were separated by the unrelated motor task. The lowest level of accuracy occurred when test trials were presented sequentially with no interspersion. Performance appeared to be facilitated by the temporal separation of test trials.

Cognitive Differentiation And Trait Anxiety As A Function Of Conceptual Level, George T. Brennan

Student Work

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest among personality investigators in a cognitive orientation to personality. Several theorists and researchers have begun to relate the study of cognition and "cognitive structures" to personality dynamics (Suedfield, 1971) and to personality development (Bieri, 1966). Suedfield

The Effects Of Participation In Goal Setting And Methods Selection, James G. Jones

Student Work

Eighty undergraduate students who were enrolled in introductory psychology classes were used to determine the effects which participation in decision-making on a goal directed task has on performance and attitudes. The Ss were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, defined by type of participation in decision-making. The Ss were either permitted to select or were assigned performance goals and were either permitted to select or were assigned a sequence in which to perform an arithmetic task.

The results of the study suggest that type of participation in decision-making can under certain circumstances have significant effects on performance attitudes …

The Use Of Token Punishers And Delayed Timeout With Emotionally Disturbed Children, Joel C. Frost

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Septal Lesions On A Free Food Vs. Response Produced Food Task, Teresa L. Cornett

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology in the Graduate School of Morehead State University by Teresa L. Cornett on July 25, 1973.

The Effects Of Developmental Groups On Personality Factors, Larry Sensing

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Because of the attempt by our culture to deal with isolation and alienation in contemporary life, the small group process has become a significant force in many parts of American society. It has been known under many names: encounter group, T-group, sensitivity group and developmental group. Since this phenomenon generally grew outside of the "establishment," those scholars and behavioral scientists who have in the past been charged with the evaluation of such practices only recently have begun to explore its effects. Perhaps because the group process was not first explored intensively in an academic setting, colleges have been among the …

An Examination Of Clinical Psychology Programs In The United States And Peru And Recommendations For Future Development Of Programs In Peru, Oscar Barreda

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Chapter I will be concerned with a definition and classification of psychology as a science, the process to be followed in order to obtain a degree in psychology or a professional title, some characteristics of a psychologist, and finally the place in which psychology as a profession stands from an ethical and legal position.

Chapter II will refer to psychological knowledge, standards and principles which defined psychotherapy practices. It will also be descriptive of some psychological services and delivery systems for such services.

From the great variety of programs and fields of study found in the United States today, according …

Differential Assessment Of Retrograde Amnesia Produced By Hypothermia Following One-Trial Avoidance Conditioning, Duane E. Brookhart

Master's Theses

Two different measures of the retention of avoidance conditioning, frequently used in the investigation of retrograde anmesia (RA), were examined. Rats were given a single training trial on either passive or active avoidance in a conventional black-white discrimination apparatus and step-through latencies were recorded. Task sequence, footshock and hypothermia were experimentally varied across eight groups of subjects. Each S was returned to the experimental apparatus 24 hours after training and given retention tests on both passive and active avoidance tasks. Test trial latencies failed to demonstrate any retention deficits attributable to RA, and both passive and active avoidance test latencies …

The Effects Of Emotionally Important Stimuli On Dissociated Learning In A Discrimination Paradigm, Stanley P. Scoville

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Rats were trained to turn in one direction in a modified T-maze while in one drug state and in the opposite direction while in another drug state. Incorrect turns during training were punished with shock and for three of the transfer groups, shock was contiguously conditioned to a 10 KHz buzzer in the drug state and to a 1 KHz buzzer in the non-drug state. During no-shock testing, the dissociation subjects were tested for state-dependency while the transfer subjects were tested for transfer by reversing the buzzer previously associated with the particular drug state in training. The hypothesis, that the …

Childrearing Correlates Of The Repression-Sensitization Dimension, Nancy W. Perry

Student Work

The repression-sensitization (R-S) dimension (Byrne, 1964) assumes that individuals may be placed along a continuum according to their characteristic responses to threatening stimuli. At the repression pole are individuals whose responses purportedly include repression, suppression, and denial (avoiding behaviors), while at the sensitizing pole are persons whose responses allegedly include intei lectualization, rationalization, and obsessive-compulsive ideation (approach behaviors).

Trait Anxiety, Leadership And Group-Induced Decision Change, Chester D. Gaston

Student Work

The twelve item Choice Dilemmas Questionnaire (CDQ) developed by Kogan and Wallach (1964) has been used extensively for investigating individual and group decision-making processes. Each item presents a hypothetical life situation in which the central character must choose between two courses of action, one of which is more risky than the other but also more rewarding if successful. For each situation the Sis must select the lowest probability of success they would accept before recommending that the potentially more rewarding (and risky) alternative be chosen. After Ss have made their private individual choices, a group is formed and each item …

A Theory Of The Creativity-Intelligence Interaction: An Environmental Suppressor Variable, Lynda L. Mcdonald

Dissertations and Theses

In a commonly held view, creativity and intelligence interact in a mutually enhancing way. Their interaction, however is assumed to be slight and relatively unimportant, and to find its ceiling at a certain IQ level. Beyond this IQ ceiling, no interaction is believed to occur, and the two variables are assumed to be independent. It is suggested that this view and those theorists who hold it do little to explain the reason for the ceiling effect.

An attempt is made to devise a theoretical system which accounts for a explains the ceiling effect, as well as providing new ground for …

Between Words And Actions: The Problem Of Motivation In Symbolic Interactionism, Robert Scott Broadhead

Dissertations and Theses

The development of a theory of motivation in symbolic interactionism is traced, with particular reference to the work of G.H. Mead, Kenneth Burke, C.W. Mills, Nelson Foote, and Ernest Becker. Specific attention is focused on comparing the original theoretical assumptions of particularly Mead and Burke to the varying formulations of the problems of motivation that were later developed by symbolic interactionists. Specifically, it is argued that, primarily due to Burke's analysis, the traditional practice of deterministically explaining human action as being the result of variously imagined motives "in" people is, in fact, no explanation at all but simply a variety …

The Effects Of Monetary Incentives On Group Intelligence Test Performance Of Lower Class Children, Larry Gerbig

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Since the advent of the first intelligence test in 1905, the primary goal of the psychometric field has been to obtain the most reliable and valid evaluation of an individual's level of intellectual functioning. The major difficulty concerning this goal, however, has been how to motivate the individual to work at his optimum level of performance. Terman (1916) attempted to solve this motivation problem through the use of praise. "Exclamations like 'Fine!,' Splendid!,' etc. should be used lavishly. Almost any innocent deception is permissible which keeps the child interested, confident, and at his best level of effort Cio. 120." Terman …

Weight Loss As An Operant Response, John Emerich Orban

Master's Theses

The present study was designed to show that reinforcing a loss of' body weight relative to a previous measurement would affect an increase in the frequency of' trials during which a weight loss was observed. Volunteer females who reported problematic eating leading to overweight served as Ss. Baseline data were collected indicating each S's daily body weight and the median amount of daily body weight change across baseline. Ss were then reinforced for any daily weight loss which exceeded this median value. An extinction period followed during which no reinforcement followed a weight loss. The data failed to indicate either …

Rehearsal Of The Incorrect Response In Frequency Discrimination, Russel L. Smith

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The frequency theory of V-D learning states that the difference in frequency of occurrence of the correct and incorrect items serves as a cue to Ss; the Ss make their choice based on the relative frequency of the items. The present study consisted of a transfer task with a 2x3 factoral design; on the first task, one half of the Ss learned a list in which the correct items were changed each trial (CC), while one half learned a standard V-D list. On the second task, one third of the CC group learned a list in which high frequency items …

Anticholinesterase Action And Electroconvulsive Shock-Induced Disruption Of Taste-Illness Association, Terry J. Debriere

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) interpolated temporally between the pairing of a novel taste and an induced gustatory illness prevents the taste from being associated with the illness (Kral, 1971). Physostigmine has been shown to protect against retrograde amnesic effects of ECS on learning of a passive avoidance task (Davis, Thomas, and Adams, 1971). Physostigmine protection of ECS induced disruption of a conditioned taste aversion was investigated using a 2 (physostigmine vs. saline) x 2 (ECS vs. sham shock) x 2 (conditioned vs. nonconditioned) x 2 (conditioning day vs. test day) factorial design with repeated measures over the last factor. Results indicated …

Habituation Of Mealworm Pupae, Tenebio-Molitor Coleoptera-Tenebrionidae, J. C. Somberg, G. M. Happ, Allen M. Schneider

Psychology Faculty Works

In holometabolous insects, information acquired at the larval stage can persist through the intervening pupal stage and influence adult behavior (Thorpe and Jones 1937, Thorpe 1939, Borell du Vernay 1942, Borsellino et al. 1970, Somberg et al. 1970, Dethier and Goldrich 1971, Alloway 1972). To account for this relatively permanent storage of information, one must assume that those neural elements which hold this information endure through metamorphosis. The question remains: Can new information be acquired and can behavior be modified during the extensive neural reorganization that accompanies metamorphosis (Edwards 1969, Satija and Luthra 1969)? The present study indicates that a …

Developmental And Task Variables In Retention And Transfer From Discovery And Verbal Reception Learning, Evelyn W. Francis

Psychology ETDs

The acquisition, retention and transfer performance of Ss following different methods of instruction were investigated as a function or the chronological age of the learner and task difficulty. The discovery method, in which Ss learned a conceptual rule through examples and feedback, was contrasted with the verbal reception method, in which Ss were provided with a verbal statement of the rule. Forty-eight Ss selected on the basis of age, 5.5 - 7.5, 7.5 - 9.5, and 10.5 - 11.5 years old, were taught a conceptual rule by the verbal reception or discovery method. Ss learned either a conjunctive or a …

Strength Of An Established Taste Aversion As A Function Of A Tap Or Distilled Water Adaptation Period, Frank Etscorn

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Studies in taste aversion learning are typically of the following designs An animal is made to consume a novel tasting substance (the conditioned stimulus) such as saccharin diluted in water. Following a specified length of time, the animal is then subjected to a gastrointestinal insult (the unconditioned stimulus) from such independent sources as X-ray overdose or poison injection. After the subject is allowed to recover from will made the ensuing illness, it can be observed that the animal avoid consuming the flavored substance if it available.

Task Persistence In Early Childhood Education, Thomas Richard Stephenson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was designed to discover developmental trends in task persistence (TP). It was hoped that the results would suggest when and for what groups a task persistence (TP) curriculum is crucial.

To study this development a sample of two, four, and six year old children were given a "work" task. The task required 120 subjects (Ss) to sort and fold 33 items of clothing and linen. After the task instructions and demonstration, the experimenter did not intervene with reinforcers or further directions.

The dependent variables investigated were time spent on the task, time spent away from the task, and …

A Correlation Study Between The Shipley-Hartford Test Of Mental Maturity And The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Richard Roy Speechly

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) has been v recognized as a helpful tool to the psychologist in identifying abnormal characteristics (Leverenz, 1956; Modlin, 1956; Hathaway and Mckinley, 1967; Hock, 1970). Likewise the Shipley-Institute of Living Scale for Measuring Intellectual Impairment (S-H) has also been recognized as a helpful tool in identifying emotional impairment (Pollack, 1942; Halstead, 1943; Fleming, 1943; Wright, 1946; Garfield and Fey, 1948; Lewinsohn, 1963) . Despite the research which suggests both tests are capable of helpful diagnosis in the general area of psychological impairment (Welch, 1956; Lewinsohn, 1963), little if any work has been done examining …

Freshman Orientation And Career Articulation With A Rational Value Decision-Making Model, Bud W. Stephenson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The role identity of the college and university counseling center has been in a state of evolution for the past few years and a reconceptualized role for the college and university counselor is beginning to emerge. This evolution is the result of rapid change taking place within society and in higher education. In recent research such authors as Morrill and Oetting (1970) have noted that the programs of counseling centers in the colleges and universities are not changing along with the rest of the college environment today and programs are thus becoming more and more outdated and irrelevant. Along with …

An Analysis Of The Effects Of Delay Of Reinforcement And Momentary Probabilities Of Reinforcement On Interval Schedule Performance, Charles A. Lund

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In two experiments pigeons were exposed to VI and FI schedules and schedules approximating both VI and FI schedules. In experiment I, the probabilities of the VI and FI components in a Mixed FI VI schedule were manipulated to create schedule contingencies approximating simple VI or FI. In experiment II, the minimum and maximum inter-reinforcement intervals were manipulated to create schedule contingencies approximating simple VI or FI. The major finding of both of these experiments was that maximal control by the dimension of time occurred as FI contingencies were approximated. Control by any one temporal value in experiment I depended …

The Relationship Of Scoring Above Or Below The 75th Percentile On The Kuder Preference Record To General Aptitude, Vocational Attitudes And Occupational Values, Terry Joseph Orme

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was designed to investigate the relationship of general aptitude, vocational attitudes, and occupational values to scoring above or below the 75th percentile on the Kuder Preference Record by ninth grade students in rural southwestern Utah and southeastern Idaho.

The sample consisted of a group of 248 students who participated in Project Mace. The students were divided into two groups according to their Kuder percentile scores. The G scale of the General Aptitude Test Battery, the Vocational Development Inventory, and the Occupational Values Inventory were also administered to the subjects. The data were analyzed by a simple correlation matrix …

Group Treatment Of Insomnia In Psychiatric Patients Through Relaxation Training, Richard Robert Weber

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The present study investigated the effects of progressive relaxation training using an abridged form of Jacobson's (1938) relaxation exercises on the mean number of nocturnal sleep disturbances in a group of psychiatric inpatients. Nocturnal time-sampling observations were made during a 14 day base line to select Ss who averaged 1.5 sleep disturbances per night. Six women, ranging in age from 23 to 56 years, were classified as problem sleepers and were moved to a common bedroom, where a second 16 day base line was taken to control for changes in the nocturnal environment. After a brief introduction and demonstration, …

An Experiment Comparing The Relative Effectiveness Of A Linear And A Context Program In Teaching Some Selected Persian Words With Reference To The Persian Alphabet To English Speaking People, Batool Moghadam

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to test the relative effectiveness of a linear and a context program in teaching some selected Persian words to English speaking people.

A survey of the literature did not reveal studies closely related to the present study, but it revealed studies verifying the usefulness of programed instruction in general, and also some limited attempts made to set up programs for teaching Persian to Americans. There has been increasing attention by educators to programed instruction in the last fifteen years. The idea was also supported that there is a need in the United States for …

The Effects Of Teaching Methods, Experimental Procedures, Grading, And Exam Frequency On The Academic Performance Of Students In Higher Education, Paul William Robinson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate a new approach in the analysis of teaching procedures, and show the importance of certain variates on the academic performance of college students.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were threefold:

1. To determine whether an ABA approach (definition on page 19) can be used effectively to identify relevant variables influencing college student's academic performance.

2. To determine the influence of grading and exam frequency on achievement in college.

3. To compare the effectiveness of a lectureless go-at-your-own-pace teaching procedure and lecture procedures on student performance as measured on a final exam and a six …

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The Validity Of Awarding Credit By Examination In English Composition, Mark Guymon Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the validity of excusing students from composition courses based upon an objective examination.

Utah State University (USU) students who had taken freshman composition courses during the 1970-71 school year when these courses were required of all entering freshman students were divided into two groups: one group was composed of those who had received an "A" or "B" for three freshman composition courses, while the other group had received a- "C" or "D" for the same courses. USU students who had been excused from taking freshman composition courses based on the CLEP General Examination in English Composition (CLEP) …

Complexive Ordering Of Reading Experience Through Grapheme-Phoneme Relative Frequency Control, Wesley K. Roberts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation develops a word bank based on a series of well defined filters. The basis of this system is grapheme-phoneme relative frequency control. The word bank is designed to be used in developing reading materials at varied degrees of difficulty.

Four short stories were edited as to their grapheme-phoneme relationships. Reading speed and reading comprehension were measured for each student on these stories. All students read a story in the original form and a story in the filtered version.

No difference in reading comprehension were found, but reading speed was significantly higher on three of four stories.