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Human Essence: Toward A Relational Reconstruction, Kenneth J. Gergen

Psychology Faculty Works

This chapter opens with a social constructionist perspective on human essences. As proposed, essences are not given in nature, but constructed within cultural traditions. Thus, the major challenge is not that of “getting it right” about the essence, but generating accounts that may contribute to society. A criterion of reflective pragmatism is proposed in which questions of contribution and critique prevail. In this light the chapter places in critical light the bio-cognitive and neurological explanations of human nature, especially focusing on the ideological and political implications of these orientations. In contrast, discussion opens on relational conceptions of human essence. Several …

Gender, Sex, And Sexualities: Psychological Perspectives, N. Dess, Jeanne Marecek, L. Bell

Psychology Faculty Works

For decades, the field of gender, sex, and sexualities has been a focal point of increasing interest. This inquiry has been ignited by successive waves of dramatic social change, chief among them: the re-emergence of feminist movements in the U.S. and Europe in the late 1960s; the sustained (and increasingly successful) bids for legal, social, and religious acceptance of non-heterosexual sexualities in many parts of the world; and the burgeoning number of people (whether cisgendered, gender-variant, trans, or questioning) whose individual and collective experiences of gender and sexuality warrant deeper understanding and further progress toward a fuller realization of human …

The Social Construction Of Reality: Traces And Transformation, Kenneth J. Gergen

Psychology Faculty Works

Gergen provides a reflection on the intellectual context in which The Social Construction of Reality emerged and the subsequent transformation taking place in assumptions and practices. As he proposes, while the Berger and Luckmann thesis provided a major catalyst to the emerging dialogues, subsequent developments in critical theory, literary and rhetorical theory and the history of science added vital dimensions to understanding. The earlier emphasis on social phenomenology was largely eclipsed by a concern with the linguistic construction of reality; discussions of social structure and individual experience were largely replaced by a focus on the social or dialogic construction of …

Re-Evaluating Captive Chimpanzee “Dominance”: Dominance Hierarchy And Chimpanzee-Caregiver Relationships At Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, Jake Funkhouser

All Master's Theses

This thesis is composed of two journal-ready articles and an accompanying appendix with additional data and interpretation. Overall, this thesis describes and statistically analyzes dominance relationships in two nonhuman primate groups with novel methods, possible correlations between dominance and testosterone, and uncovers the prominent connection of caregivers to captive chimpanzee social networks. Chapter I addresses current and past variability in behavioral measures and statistical methods to derive dominance rankings. I propose a novel approach to using existing statistical techniques to analyze dominance ranks, context-dependent dominant structures (agonistic competitions, lack of agonism, privileged role, priority access to resources), the reliability of …

Response Of Three Species Of Monkeys To Caregiver Use Of Species-Typical Behavior, Lillian Anna Stolar

All Master's Theses

Caregivers are a primary part of captive monkey environments. When addressing psychological well-being of captive nonhuman primates, social environment should be considered. Chimpanzees, gorillas, New World monkeys, and Old World monkeys responded positively to interactions with caregivers. Some species showed increased affiliative behaviors and decreased abnormal or self-directed behaviors after interactions. These studies showed that caregivers can affect the behavior of nonhuman primates. Caregivers are underutilized as a source of social interaction for captive nonhuman primates. Utilizing species-typical behaviors during interactions, caregivers and nonhuman primates can communicate and interact in different ways that may be beneficial to both caregiver and …

Modeling The Psychiatric Aspects Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome And Induced Stress, Danielle Peecher

All Master's Theses

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder in women that is characterized by excess testosterone and is associated with increased risk of infertility. Women with PCOS also show higher rates of depression and anxiety. Modeling PCOS in mice via administration of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) results in physiological alterations that are consistent with the physiological symptoms of PCOS in women. While some studies have investigated behavioral changes in PCOS mouse models, findings have varied. Thus, the current research examined whether a PCOS model with an additional stress factor resulted in behavioral changes. To create a stress condition, subjects were implanted with …

Derived Textual Control In Recreational Activity Schedules With Children With Autism, Holly Kolb

All Master's Theses

Activity schedules are commonly used with individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The primary advantage of activity schedules is that they help the learner complete tasks independently. One child with autism, who was familiar with using pictorial activity schedules, participated in this study. This study was done to examine the use of a conditional discrimination procedure for helping children with autism transfer from the use of a pictorial activity schedule to the use of a textual activity schedule. The participant was exposed to a conditional discrimination training procedure before being tested for the ability to follow a textual activity …

An Examination Of The In-Group Hypothesis In Facial Expression Inferences Using American And Indian Samples, Scott Lehrman

All Master's Theses

The relationship between culture and evaluations of facial expressions were assessed using American and Indian participants. Based on Ekman (1972) and others’ (cf. Elfenbein & Ambady, 2002) research that supports general cross-cultural agreement of facial expression evaluation, it was hypothesized that participants will be able to accurately evaluate a smiling face as happy and a scowling face as angry and that American participants would be more accurate overall due to the In-Group Hypothesis (Elfenbein & Ambady, 2002). Results showed that both cultures were able to accurately assess both facial expressions, although American participants had stronger evaluations across personality traits.

Sign Modulation By Chimpanzees To Produce Interrogatives, Kailie Dombrausky

All Master's Theses

Native signers of American Sign Language produce interrogatives by holding signs for an extended duration while employing the questioning look. The questioning look is defined as raised eyebrows, a tilted head, and direct eye contact maintained for the duration of the utterance. Chimpanzees who communicate using signs have demonstrated modulation of signs including held sign, raised brow, and eye gaze. The present study used archived video data to compare the duration of signs when the chimpanzees did or did not employ the questioning look. In both single and multi-sign utterances, the chimpanzees held their signs for a mean of 0.6 …

Can A Dog Be Jealous?, Yaoguang Jiang, Annamarie W. Huttunen, Michael L. Platt

Animal Sentience

Whether humans alone experience complex emotions like jealousy or envy remains hotly debated, partly because of the difficulty of measuring them without a verbal report. Cook, Berns and colleagues use functional brain imaging to identify in dogs neural responses very similar to those evoked by jealousy in humans. When dogs see their caregiver reward a facsimile dog, their amygdala is activated and the strength of this response predicts aggressive behavior — just as jealousy leads to aggression in humans. The authors conclude that dogs feel something very similar to human jealousy. This novel and creative study tackles one of the …

Proceedings Of The Cuny Games Conference 4.0: The Interactive Course, Robert O. Duncan, Joe Bisz, Julie Cassidy, Kathleen Offenholley, Maura A. Smale, Carolyn Stallard, Deborah Sturm, Anders A. Wallace, Cuny Games Network

Publications and Research

Proceedings of the CUNY Games Conference, held from January 22-23, 2018, at the CUNY Graduate Center and Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Critical Play with History (Panel) - Composition & Storytelling - Health & Cognitive Sciences - Gaming Anthropology: Teaching Culture and Power Through Games and Design (Panel) - Twine & Writing Games - Easy Ideas II - STEM Games - Global Games for Change Catalog (Panel) - Comics & Active Learning - Fact Checking & Research - Computer Science & Game Design - SimGlobal: Building a Serious Roleplay Course for the Social Sciences (Panel) - Role Playing Games, Narrative, …

Burnout Syndrome And Depression, Renzo Bianchi, Irvin Sam Schonfeld, Eric Laurent

Publications and Research

In this chapter, we proposed an overview of burnout, from the introduction of the construct in the mid-1970s to the growing realization that the syndrome was better conceived of as a depressive condition. Recent studies have shown that the distinction between burnout and depression is problematic, both theoretically and empirically. The history of burnout research suggests that transdisciplinary communication and methodological standards should be strengthened to avoid the proliferation of constructs that, in fact, refer to the same phenomena. Construct proliferation, a transgression of the scientific canon of parsimony, is considered a major problem today because it undermines theory building …

Community College Students' Deep Learning Approaches In Oer Courses, Kim Ellen Grewe

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Open Educational Resources (OER) have the potential to bridge the gap for community college students not only because they are more affordable or provide access but also because they have the potential to make learning more meaningful for these same students. Although issues related to access and affordability have been extensively researched, less is known about the ways in which OER use may impact community college students’ deep approaches to learning. More qualitative research around OER efficacy from the student perspective is needed. The purpose of this study was to describe the ways students use OER and how students’ OER …

The Effect Of Group Music Therapy On Alleviating Depression In Older Adults, Rebekah Gohl

Music: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Depression and loneliness are significant psychological symptoms that often go unnoticed in older adults. Group music therapy with older adults provides an opportunity to alleviate depression through shared music making, reminiscing, and forming new connections with other individuals. This paper explores the implications of using music therapy to alleviate depression in an older adult population as found in prior research on this topic, advocating for group music therapy over individual therapy as a means to establish connections during old age.

Stress In College Students: Associations With Anxiety And Perfectionism, Emory Hamblin

Honors Theses

Psychosocial stressors are prevalent in the workplace and academic environment largely due to emotional responses from rising conflict, unattainable demands, or a decreased sense of control. An individual's perception of stress is interrelated to the characteristic of perfectionism and the level of anxiety one possesses. Stress is commonly associated with adverse circumstances, and perfectionism is characterized by the setting of unrealistically high standards accompanied by a personal and social standard, attitude, or philosophy. Anxiety is characterized by increased physiological arousal, inhibition of ongoing activities, and a change in individual priorities. Previous studies have examined anxiety's relation to stress-invoking stimuli, but …

Examination Of Dental Distress And Anxiety-Related Vulnerability Factors, Sydney Olson

Honors Theses

Apprehension towards dental services has been documented for decades, and despite modern scientific advances, dental anxiety and phobia continue to adversely affect individuals' oral and mental health. Furthermore, the prevalence of dental distress is estimated to range from 8% to nearly 30% among community samples. Given the prevalence and impairment of dental distress, understanding the underlying mechanisms is pertinent to finding more effective treatments. In particular, transdiagnostic processes that may be implicated in dental distress include anxiety sensitivity (AS), pain sensitivity (PS), and distress tolerance (DT). As such, the aims of the current study were 1.) to characterize dental distress …

Effects Of Emotion And Construal Level On Obesity Stigma, Peyton D. Curtis

Honors Theses

We conducted the present study to determine how emotion and construal level contribute to obesity bias. Specifically, we examined if different emotions, such as disgust, sadness, and happiness, played a role in several different judgments of an obese versus thin individual: 1) general impressions, 2) supporting a friend, and 3) endorsing personal versus biological/environmental causes for weight. We also investigated whether a self me construal or collective we construal influenced these judgments. We additionally considered whether emotion and these construal levels would interact to influence such judgments. The current work found that emotion and construal level did not interact to …

Uncovering The Lost Knowledge Of The Imagination In Films, Seda, Daniel A.

Journal of Conscious Evolution

Films have forever changed the way in which humans perceive reality and have provided significant opportunities to spread knowledge in ways that are both entertaining and deceptive. Uncovering the lost knowledge of the imagination shifts an individual’s perceptions of a shared experience and exposes film’s persuasive power to penetrate the psyche. This paper explores the constitutions of reality and how humans are able to tap into other realms of consciousness through mediums of creative expression. Topics such as the origins of life, the hidden knowledge of secret societies, and the burgeoning full disclosure movement for truth are discussed as a …

Towards Better Outcomes For Families With Transition-Age Youth Or Young Adults With Asd: A Mixed Methods Study From A Parent’S Perspective, Wing Hang Wong

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

The after-high-school outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families are less than desirable. The current study employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design in order to enhance understanding of the family adaptation process during transition. First, a qualitative study was conducted in order to understand the stressors, external and internal support, coping strategies, and family adaptation outcomes during transition, from a parent’s perspective, using the ABCX model. Thirteen parents of adolescents and young adults with ASD were interviewed. These parents reported a continually high level of stress due to normative strains and ASD-related demands. They clearly …

Risk And Protective Factors For Sexual Desire Among Women With Children And Their Romantic Partners, Christine E. Leistner

Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences

Romantic couples with children struggle to balance the needs of their romantic relationships with the responsibilities of parenting and mothers report difficulty viewing themselves as sexual beings after having children. Understanding the risk and protective factors for sexual and relational outcomes for couples with children or those that may have children in the future may provide insight into the dynamics of these couples and the ways in which parents can preserve relational health over time. The current study utilized Basson’s Model of Sexual Response (2000) as a conceptual theoretical framework and the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Kenny et al., …

Investigating Differing Degrees Of Foxo3a Expression In Adult Neural Stem Cells Between Age Groups In Zebrafish, Francis G. Bacik

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

One factor influencing organismal longevity is the activity of transcription factors of the “fork head domain” family, otherwise known as “Forkhead box” (Fox) proteins. Studies of the four isoforms of the “O” subclass of Fox proteins found in human genes have revealed a direct relationship between FoxO3a-dependent gene expression and the conservation of neural stem cell (NSC) in the adult brain, specifically in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone of the cortex. This transcription factor has also been shown to regulate apoptosis in nervous tissue during embryonic development in zebrafish. The current …

Test Of Bpa's Estrogenic Effects On Brain Aromatase Expression, Neural Activity, And Locomotive Behavior In Zebrafish Larvae, Ryan J. Mcauley

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disrupting chemical that mimics the effects of estrogens. Aromatase B (Cyp19a1b) is a brain-specific enzyme that converts testosterone to estrogen and is highly upregulated in response to estrogen receptor activation localized to radial glial cells. During embryonic zebrafish development, there is a small window of time denoted by an increase in neurogenesis and estrogen receptor activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that a low dose BPA exposure (0.1µM) during this window causes hyperlocomotion in larval zebrafish, yet no further explanation for this behavior change has been described. The purpose of this study was to …

The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Executive Functions In High School Aged Students, Julia Barta

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Childhood adversity and executive function deficits pose significant concerns for those who experience these issues directly, as well as the educators, parents, medical providers, and communities in which they live. Much research has outlined negative physiological effects on typical brain development and health, as well as negative behavioral, social, and emotional outcomes stemming from early life trauma. Similarly, individuals with executive function deficits are more likely to struggle with behavior, emotions, and cognition. Little is known about the self-reported relationship between early life trauma and executive function. This study was designed to learn more about the relationship between adverse childhood …

Refining The Assessment Of Adhd: The Relationship Between Self-Report And Observable Behavioral Symptoms, Bryan Gastelle

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Individuals with adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) present with deficits in attention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, or a combination of these symptoms. Functional impairment due to inattention, reduced motivation, poor impulse control, emotion dysregulation, and deficits in executive functioning are also frequently seen. Assessment of ADHD, using objective continuous performance tasks, has been introduced in conjunction with widely used self-report measures of ADHD symptom severity. The Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) is one such self-report measure of ADHD, consisting of 66 self-report items that measure symptoms of ADHD, including inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and poor self-concept. The Quotient ADHD System purports to provide objective …

What Type Of Training Predicts Adherence To Cbt-I Among Professionals Specializing In The Treatment Of Insomnia?, Mark D. Delguercio

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study explored the relationship between certain educational and professional variables that influence the adherence to empirically supported practices in cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). The variables of interest included the practitioner’s level of training as measured by the number of hours of advanced training in CBT-I, the total number of hours practicing CBT-I out of the total annual clinical practice hours, and the total number of years practicing CBT-I. The final variable of interest was treatment preference and practice knowledge. The study used a one-time, cross-sectional, web-based survey. The participants consisted of 165 mental health and medical professionals of …

The Effect Of Age At Diagnosis On Neuropsychological Functioning For Survivors Of Pediatric Brain Tumors Treated With Proton Radiation Therapy, Christina Zebrowski

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Compared to photon radiation, proton radiation spares healthy tissue by better targeting the tumor, reducing entrance dose, and eliminating exit dose (Semenova, 2009). Research thus far has largely focused on intelligence and adaptive profiles for individuals treated with proton radiation therapy (PRT; Patel, Mullins, O-Neil, & Wilson, 2011). Additionally, the effect of age varies in regard to age being protective or not (Levisohn, Cronin-Golomb, & Schmahmann, 2000; De Ruiter, Van Mourik, Schouten-Van Meeteren, Grootenhus, & Oosterlann, 2013; Wolfe, Madan-Swain, & Kana, 2012). This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the effect of age on diagnosis on neuropsychological functioning for individuals with …

Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy To Improve School Performance Of High School Students, Kelly R. Wayne

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study explored the effect of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on the school functioning of high school students with trauma histories. The lifelong impact of trauma exposure across multiple domains of functioning is well documented. However, there is a gap between research and practice in school environments. Teachers in this study were taught trauma-sensitive teaching practices and DBT strategies to improve their ability to understand student emotional dysregulation, reduce challenging classroom behaviors, and improve academic performance. Students were taught DBT strategies in mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal relations designed to reduce disciplinary referrals, increase use of positive coping …

Testing The Efficacy Of A Brief Psychoeducational Video On Improving Mental Health Literacy, Gregory Amatrudo

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Mental health literacy (MHL) is defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental health disorders which aid in recognition, management, or prevention (Jorm et al., 1997). The concept of MHL is essential in helping individuals understand and recognize symptoms of mental health disorders. In addition, MHL encompasses components related to stigma and attitudes that serve to facilitate or inhibit help seeking behaviors. Although the public has benefited greatly from initiatives aimed at improving knowledge about physical disease, similar initiatives aimed at improving MHL have been comparatively neglected. Many members of the public have difficulty recognizing specific types of psychological distress (Jorm, …

Instructing Students With Pediatric And Mental Health Conditions: Predictors Of Teachers’ Self-Efficacy, Rachel Allen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Teachers face unique challenges when teaching children who have individualized education plans (IEPs) and/or 504 plans, including managing problematic behaviors and knowing about the symptoms and accommodations necessary when children present with health conditions. The factors that predict teachers’ self-efficacy when working with these children have not been established. This was a quantitative retrospective design utilizing a survey of teachers’ past experiences teaching children with IEP’s and/or 504 plans. K-8 elementary school teachers were surveyed using the Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale for Children with IEP/504 Plans (2017), which was developed by the authors and was adapted from a previous measure, the …

The Effects Of Negative Body Image And Self-Assessed Health On Health Behaviors In Adults, Danielle N. Beach

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Body image (BI) is a complex concept that seems to be related to self-assessed health (SAH), in other words, how an individual perceives his or her health. Negative BI does seem to influence adaptive and maladaptive health behaviors. For example, women with negative BI are more likely to smoke cigarettes and have more difficulty with smoking cessation than their counterparts with less negative BI. Previous studies have explored the relationship between select variables, and the samples have consisted of mostly adolescents and European samples. The current study aimed to determine if a relationship exists between these variables and to examine …