Digital Commons Network^™

Trends. The Color Of Terror, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article discusses and evaluates Homeland Security's color-coded national alert system.

The Relationship Of Verbal-Nonverbal Incongruence To Communication Mismatches In Married Couples, Amy Van Buren

Psychology Faculty Publications

Communication accuracy refers to whether a message sent by a sender is perceived by the receiver to have the same emotional meaning intended by the sender. Previous research using marital dyads suggests that receivers sometimes receive the emotional meaning in senders’ statements differently than senders intend. The present study was conducted to test the possibility that one reason such misunderstandings occur is that senders may convey emotional messages differently than they intend. Twenty-four married couples carried on a ten-minute videotaped free interaction during which they rated the emotional meaning in each others’ statements. Results indicated that senders conveyed messages that …

Night Moves: A Qualitative Investigation Of Street-Level Sex Work, Rochelle L. Dalla

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

The subculture of street-level sex work including the social environment, drug use and abuse, and violence was examined. Personal interviews were conducted with 43 women involved in streetwalking prostitution. Data were analyzed using Phenomenological Descriptive Analysis (Colaizzi, 1978). Several participants reported developing emotional relationships and having children with clients, former clients, or pimps; some participants were married to men who pimped them. Supportive relationships with other streetwalkers were largely nonexistent; streetwalking constitutes a solitary business for most. The majority reported drug addiction, although less than half entered prostitution to support an already established drug habit. Financial need propelled many into …

How Behavioral Dimensions Interact With Perceived Social Support Dimensions In First Time Expectant Fathers During Their Wives Pregnancy, Rhonda L. Dunder

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

While changes in women during a pregnancy are apparent, changes in the expectant father are not. However, research has documented the behavioral and attitudinal changes that take place in the soon to be father. The current study investigated which assessment measures of the behavioral dimension, which included anxiety, narcissism, and self-esteem, would correlate with each other to predict a behavior change. Correlations were also measured between variables of the behavioral dimension and perceived social support. Results found a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and narcissism. A significant negative correlation was found between self-esteem and perceived social support. It appears as …

Similarities Or Differences In Identity Development? The Impact Of Acculturation And Gender On Identity Process And Outcome, Seth J. Schwartz, Marilyn J. Montgomery

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

This study examined the effects of variations in acculturation and gender on identity processes and outcomes. Three hundred fifty-seven students at a culturally diverse university completed measures of identity processes (exploration, commitment, and identity style) and outcomes (identity status). The generalizability of the underlying identity processes across contextual variations was ascertained by evaluating the consistency of factor solutions across immigrant generation and gender. Results suggested that the processes underlying identity development are consistent across variations in acculturation and gender. Supplemental analyses revealed effects of acculturation and gender on the extent to which individuals utilized various identity processes and manifested various …

On The Evolution Of Depression, Mike W. Martin

Philosophy Faculty Articles and Research

In "Depression as a Mind-Body Problem," Walter Glannon outlines a psychosocial-physiological explanation of depression as a psychological response to chronic stress—today, especially social stress—in which cortisol imbalances disrupt neurotransmitters. Accordingly, treatment for depression should combine psychopharmacology and psychotherapy—a valuable reminder in light of the current restrictions on funding for health care (Hobson and Leonard 2001). My comments focus, however, on Glannon's objections to evolutionary theorists who explain our capacity for depression as adaptive to the natural and social environment. His objections are implausible because he fails to distinguish depression as a mood and a disorder.

Issues Impacting The Quality Of Mental Health In Older Adults, Rachel I. Pettit

Graduate Research Papers

Older adults are confronted with a variety of developmental and unexpected issues that can impair or strengthen their mental health. Affective and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and suicide are some of the mental health issues when older adults experience difficulty with the aging process. On the other hand, the quality of their physical and mental health, their support system, the resolution of grief and loss issues, and the strength of their spirituality assist older adults in recreating meaning. Thus, they are able to live their senior years with purpose. These issues will be addressed and recommendations will be described with …

Project Design Of The Multicultural Education And Training Structured Interview For Cultural Formulation, Dione Nicole Johnson

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project is to outline a validation study demonstrating the utility of the Mulicultural Education and Training Structured Interview for Cultural Formulations (METSICF).

Social Support Among Emancipated Foster Youth, Nicole Anita Hart

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not having social support serves as a tool of encouragement for youth to become skilled in areas preparing them for adulthood.

The Effects Of Life Review On Well-Being In The Elderly, Karen Michelle Fagerstrom

Theses Digitization Project

It is widely believed among developmental psychologists that old age is a distinct developmental stage with unique goals, struggles and opportunities for growth. Achieving integrity involves making sense of disparate aspects of one's life and seing life as one complete whole, rather than bits and pieces of a puzzle. Integrity is achieved when each part of the puzzle is put into place, forming one complete picture.

Impact Of Parental Attachment On Identity And Self-Acceptance In Homosexual Males, Sharie Lee Colt

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of maternal attachment on identity and self-esteem in adult gay males.

Is Society's View Of Sexual Harassment Evolving Along With New Legal Precedents?, Amy Lynn Laufenberg Laufenberg

Theses Digitization Project

This study was designed to investigate if society's view of sexual harassment is evolving along with new legal precedents that include remedies for same-sex sexual harassment. By using an aggressive provocation questionnaire and varied scenarios where responses were recorded on a 5-point Likert scale assessing their perception of the level of sexual harassment depicted in the scenario. Thus examining the role of aggression in people's perceptions of sexual harassment.

The Effects Of Perceived Parental Educational Involvement, Acculturation And Self-Esteem On The Academic Performance And Aspirations Of Mexican-American Adolescents, Francisco David Carranza

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of parental educational involvement, acculturation and self-esteem on the academic performance and academic aspirations of Mexican American adolescents.

Road Rage: Where Is It Coming From?, Steven Leigh Pennington

Theses Digitization Project

This project will address the increasing problem of violence on our nations roadways. This form of violence, termed road rage, is also occurring worldwide.

Evaluation Of An Intervention Program For Assisting Family Caregivers With Placement Decisions, Adriana Raquel Bailey

Theses Digitization Project

The emotional aspect of caregiving is extremely complex and caregivers face tremendous emotional challenges as they react to the reality of their loved one's increasing disability. When it comes to making the placement decision, caregivers have frequently reached a burnout point in making decisions.

Attitudinal And Behavioral Changes Demonstrated By Expectant Fathers As Measured By The Index Of Self Esteem, Terry G. Savage

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Thirty married men who were expecting their first child were tested in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy with the Index of Self Esteem to see if the subjects experienced a significant drop in self esteem during the course of pregnancy. The current study focused on the attitudinal and behavioral changes in the subjects as measured by the index of self-esteem. A decrease in self-esteem of the expectant fathers was not found, however the lack of diversity within the sample may account for the results. It would be necessary to conduct more extensive research to be more representative …

Jean-Jacques Dicker Photography First, Philippe L. Gross

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

NA

The Last Time I Saw Fritz, Marc L. Joslyn

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Zen is not merely an exotic practice imported from the Orient; it is the constantly fresh

realization ofTrue Nature everywhere and at every time. So, it may be expected that sparks

of Zen will be found in all cultures. Hence, having been engaged with Zen practice since 1964,

the author reminisces here about how he turned to Zen after his study of Gestalt psychology

and his encounter with Gestalt therapy in the person ofFritz Perls. Gestalt therapy as usually

practiced is not Zen, the author concludes. But if it clears the way for a glimmer of the Self

which has …

Volume 1, Issue 1 Full Issue

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

Full Issue.

Spankers And Nonspankers: Where They Get Information On Spanking, Wendy A. Walsh

Sociology

Because spanking is common, puts children at risk for harmful side effects, and is ineffective as a positive behavior management tool, it is important to identify the kind of advice families receive about the appropriateness of spanking. Using the health belief model, I examined spankers and nonspankers on the spanking messages they received from eight sources of discipline information and how important they perceived these messages to be. Data from telephone interviews with 998 mothers with children aged 2 to 14 years showed that 33% of mothers rated advice from workshops, pediatricians, newspapers and magazines, and books as ‘‘very important.’’ …

The Essence Of Transpersonal Psychology Contemporary Views, S. I. Shapiro, Grace W. Lee, Philippe L. Gross

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

The authors compiled 80 chronologically ordered passages from the contemporary psychology

literature that address the essence of transpersonal psychology. A thematic analysis of

these passages revealed that the two most frequent categories, occurring 53 (66.2%) and 49

(61.2%) times respectively, were: (a) Going beyond or transcending the individual, ego, self,

the personal, personality, or personal identity; existence of a deeper, true, or authentic Self;

and (b) Spirituality, psychospiritual, psychospiritual development, the spiritual, spirit. Other,

less frequent, themes included: special states of consciousness; interconnectivity/unity; going

beyond other schools of psychology; emphasis on a scientific approach; mysticism; full range

of consciousness; greater …

Acts Of Misconduct And Perception Of Internal, Powerful Others, And Chance Locus Of Control, Jodi L. Henry

Masters Theses

With the growing numbers of acts of misconduct that are committed in our country each year, it is important to find possible predictors of these behaviors. Because locus of control is a stable characteristic that is central to how an individual perceives causes of action, it is one construct that shows promise for predicting acts of misconduct. One hundred and forty college students answered two questionnaires: a locus of control scale called the Internality, Powerful Others, and Chance Scales and a Self Report Acts of Misconduct Index which was created for this study. A Pearson's Correlation was conducted comparing scores …

The Impact Of Television Reports Of Prison Escapes On Anxiety : A Comparison Of Two Age Cohorts, Sofia Fisher

Theses : Honours

Television has been identified as being a major contributor to anxiety and fear of crime. The major aim of this study was to compare the level of state anxiety experienced individuals after viewing one of three versions of a television report related to prison escapes. The second aim was to determine if there were any differences in levels of anxiety between two age cohorts: middle-aged (35-45 years) and older-aged (65-75 years). A total of 120 participants were recruited using a snowball technique and randomly assigned to one of three groups using a lottery method. Participants completed demographic and attitudinal questionnaires, …

Physician-Related Determinants Of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Caribbean Women In Toronto, Ilene Hyman, Punam Mony Singh, Marta Meana, Usha George, Lilian M. Wells, Donna E. Stewart

Psychology Faculty Research

BACKGROUND: Minority women in Canada are less likely to be screened for cervical cancer than their counterparts in the general population, despite the fact that the proportion of these women who consult a general practitioner about their health each year is similar to minority women. This study examined the physician and practice characteristics associated with Pap testing and perceived barriers to Pap testing of family physicians serving the Caribbean community of Toronto.

METHODS: A mail-back questionnaire was sent to Toronto family physicians practicing in neighborhoods with a high proportion of Caribbean Canadians.

RESULTS: Although 79.7% of the 64 participating physicians …

Correlates Of Deviant Behaviour : An Etiological Study, Siok Gim Chan

Student Works (2000-2009)

This study aims to ascertain whether social and personal resources are related to deviant behaviour of adolescents. The social resources investigated are those available to them in their home, peer-group and school, and are measured in terms of parental support, peer-group support and school experiences. The personal resources studied are concepts of self, coping behaviour and moral development. Comparing delinquent subjects to controls will ascertain the resources that helped adolescents abstain from deviant behaviour. Survey method is used for data collection. The questionnaire is administrated to 63 male delinquent subjects in an approved school. The questionnaire is posted to 16 …

Press Reports Of Animal Hoarding, Arnold Arluke, Randy Frost, Gail Steketee, Gary Patronek, Carter Luke, Edward Messner, Jane Nathanson, Michelle Papazian

Psychology: Faculty Publications

This article explores how the press reports nonhuman animal hoarding and hoarders. It discusses how 100 articles from 1995 to the present were content analyzed. Analysis revealed five emotional themes that include drama, revulsion, sympathy, indignation, and humor. While these themes draw readers' attention and make disparate facts behind cases understandable by packaging them in familiar formats, they also present an inconsistent picture of animal hoarding that can confuse readers about the nature and significance of this behavior as well as animal abuse, more generally.

So Young And So Untender: Remorseless Children And The Expectations Of The Law, Martha Grace Duncan

Faculty Articles

A nine-year-old speaks with apparent callousness as he walks by the body of the girl he has killed. A fourteen-year-old jokes about "body parts in her pocket" after bashing in her mother's head with a candlestick holder. And a fifteen-year-old laughingly names his accomplice ''Homicide" after participating in a robbery that culminated in the victim's death. Seemingly remorseless acts such as these can have a crucial impact on the way a child or adolescent fares in the juvenile justice or criminal system. Yet, when one looks closely at what the courts interpret as indicators of remorselessness -- ­taking into account …

Searching For Connections Between Domestic Violence And Social Conflict In Northern Ireland, Jeffrey M. Roberts

School of Business Student Theses and Dissertations

This Independent Problem Analysis explores the connection between domestic violence and social conflict in Northern Ireland. Specifically, it will review selected literature on domestic violence and examine social and cultural attitudes regarding violence in Northern Ireland. It will then analyze whether and how occurrences of domestic violence in Northern Ireland are affected by broader social conflict.

This analysis will begin with an overview of conflict theories that will be used to show depth of understanding in the conflict discipline and to determine a specific direction for the problem analysis. This will be followed by an exploration of factors that combine …

Becoming Visible : A Qualitative Analysis Of Female To Male Transsexuals' Coming Out Experiences, Emily R. Chernicoff

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This research explores the coming-out processes of 11 transgendered individuals who underwent female-to-male sex reassignment. Its purpose is to expand upon the cultural literacy of clinicians called upon to support transgendered clients who present with the intent to transition. The thesis is predicated on the argument that the differently-gendered constitute an understudied and discrete cultural minority, similar to ethnic, racial and sexual minorities, for whom identity formation is similarly impacted by socio-cultural influences. Qualitative content analysis of transcribed semi-structured interviews was conducted. Phase analysis was found to parallel both Cass's 1979 stage-model theory of sexual minority identity formation, and Devor's …

Exploring Faultlines, Conflict, Satisfaction, And Stress In Groups Of Peacekeepers, Katerina Bezrukova, Karen A. Jehn, Martin Euwema, Nicolien Kop

Psychology

We explore group faultlines in peacekeeping troops on missions between 1995 and 1999 in Bosnia. Group faultlines are defined as hypothetical dividing lines that split a group into subgroups based on demographic characteristics (e.g. age, gender, etc.), culture, norms, work attitudes, and behavior of peacekeepers. In particular, we examine how potential faultlines become active faultlines and then result in task, relationship, and cultural conflict within a group of peacekeepers. We link these types of conflict to peacekeepers' satisfaction, perceived performance, and level of work stress. We test our hypotheses on survey data from a sample of 907 Dutch military peacekeepers …