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Externalising Behaviour Problems And The Influence Of Classroom Environments In The Early School Years ; Student-Teacher Relationships And Teacher Discipline: Their Relation To The Externalising Behaviours Of Kindergarten To Year 1 Students, Emma Spencer

Theses : Honours

Some of the most influential people in a child's life are the teachers who aid them in their transition into the education system and the complex social environment that it brings (Blancher & Eisenhower, 2006). Children who display externalising behaviours early in childhood often experience greater difficulties than other children when entering school and throughout their education experience (Hinshaw, Lahey & Hart, 1993; Liu, 2004). The student-teacher relationship established within the classroom and the disciplinary measures utilized by the teachers can have a profound impact on the child's development both academically and socially (Galen & Underwood, 1997; Hamre & Pianta, …

An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Inhibitory Motor Control And Low And High Trait Impulsivity In Non-Clinical Adults, Lindsay Vibert

Theses : Honours

Impulsivity is generally thought to refer to rapid, spontaneous and inappropriate behaviour. One causal view of impulsivity is that of executive inhibitory dyscontrol. Inhibitory control requires the suppression of an implicit or explicit response and may be assessed with laboratory behavioural tasks. Executive inhibition includes cognitive inhibition, interference control and behavioural inhibition. Impulsivity is frequently measured using self-report personality-based inventories. Investigations of the relationship between inhibitory control and impulsivity are uncommon. It is further proposed that there is a significant inverse relationship between a self-report measure of impulsivity (the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) (Patton, Stanford, & Barratt, 1995) and a behavioural …

Parameters Affecting Mental Workload And The Number Of Simulated Ucavs That Can Be Effectively Supervised, Bryan A. Calkin

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated performance and mental workload when an operator supervises multiple UCAVs. This study focused on the parameters that affect the operator's performance during a simulated UCAV suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) mission, which is expected to be the primary function of the UCAV. All three manipulated factors, including the number of vehicles to be supervised, vehicle airspeed, and difficulty level of attacks (targets engaged by either a single vehicle or multiple vehicles), affected both performance and subjective mental workload measures. A performance mental workload redline was defined as the point at which accomplishment scores no longer …

Partying Before The Party: Examining Prepartying Behavior Among College Students, Eric R. Pedersen, Joseph W. Labrie

Heads Up!

Objective:

The authors examined the phenomenon known to college students as prepartying, which is the consumption of alcohol prior to attending an event or activity (eg, party, bar, concert) at which more alcohol may be consumed.

Participants:

To explore the extent of this behavior, the authors surveyed 227 college students about each drinking event over a 1-month period.

Results:

Principal results revealed that 64% of participants engaged in prepartying (75% of drinkers) and that prepartying is involved in approximately 45% of all drinking events. Prepartying was predictive of more drinking throughout the day of the drinking event and alcohol-related …

Female College Drinking And The Social Learning Theory: An Examination Of The Developmental Transition Period From High School To College, Joseph W. Labrie, Karie Huchting, Eric R. Pedersen, Justin F. Hummer, Kristin Shelesky, Summer Tawalbeh

Heads Up!

Problematic drinking among college students remains a national issue with large percentages of college students reporting heavy episodic or binge drinking (Wechsler, Dowdall, Davenport, & Castillo, 1995) and experiencing severe alcohol-related consequences ranging from poor academic performance, to sexual assault, vandalism, and even death (Hingson, Heeren, Winter, & Wechsler, 2005; Wechsler et al., 2002). According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, 2002), the first 6 weeks on a college campus are critical to first-year student success. However, during these first weeks many students initiate heavy drinking that may interfere …

Quantifying Students' Scientific Problem Solving Efficiency And Effectiveness, Ronald H. Stevens, Vandana Thadani

Psychological Science Faculty Works

Using online problem-solving tasks and machine learning tools, a measure has been developed to quantify the effectiveness and efficiency of students’ problem solving strategies. This measure can be normalized across problem solving tasks allowing the efficiency of problem solving to be measured across individuals, classes, schools and science domains. This extensible approach has relevance for helping teachers to teach, students to learn, and administrators to make intelligent, data-driven decisions via documentation of students’ problem solving progress.

Classifying Risky-Drinking College Students: Another Look At The Two-Week Drinker-Type Categorization, Joseph W. Labrie, Eric R. Pedersen, Summer Tawalbeh

Psychological Science Faculty Works

Objective

The present study examined the effectiveness of the 2-week period currently used in the categorization of heavy episodic drinking among college students. Two-week drinker-type labels included the following: nonbinge drinker, binge drinker, and frequent binge drinker.

Method

Three samples of college student drinkers (104 volunteers, 283 adjudicated students, and 238 freshmen male students) completed the 3-month Timeline Followback assessment of drinking. Drinking behavior during the last 2 weeks of the month before the study was compared with drinking behavior during the first 2 weeks of the same month to compare behavior and resulting labels during both 2-week periods.

Results …

A Group Motivational Interviewing Intervention Reduces Drinking And Alcohol-Related Negative Consequences In Adjudicated College Women, Joseph W. Labrie, Alysha D. Thompson, Karen Huchting, Andrew Lac, Kevin Buckley

Heads Up!

College students who violate campus alcohol policies (adjudicated students) are at high risk for experiencing negative alcohol-related consequences and for undermining campus life. Further, college women may be especially at risk due to differential intoxication effects and sexual consequences experienced mainly by female students. Research on interventions for adjudicated students, especially adjudicated females, has been limited. One hundred and fifteen college women who received a sanction for violating campus alcohol policies participated in the study. The two hour group intervention focused on female-specific reasons for drinking and included decisional balance, goal setting and other exercises. Participants completed follow-up surveys for …

The Role Of A Family History Of Alcohol Or Drug Abuse On Ptsd Outcomes Following Community Violence Exposure, Kathryn Reid-Quinones

Theses and Dissertations

Research consistently has revealed the damaging consequences of children's repeated exposure to community violence and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most commonly cited internalizing disorder associated with such exposure. However, not all children who are exposed to community violence develop PTSD symptoms; thus, it is important to identify factors that contribute to this deleterious relationship. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relation of community violence exposure (CVE)and PTSD in a sample of urban adolescents. Additionally, the study assessed whether a maternal history of alcohol or drug abuse would exacerbate the association of CVE andPTSD symptoms …

Review Of 'Assessing And Managing Violence Risk In Juveniles', Frank Dicataldo

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Romantic Unconscious: Conflict And Compromise In The Research Of Romantic Love, Joseph S. Reynoso

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Social scientists continue empirically researching the psychology of romantic love. However, there is little attention spent evaluating the direction and nature of this work. In this theoretical study, the author argues that the research literature presents a limited view of romantic relationships. A contributing factor is the relative inattention to the interplay of conscious and unconscious mental processes in empirical models. The author examines the prevalent model of studying relationships for its assumptions about the accessibility of psychological states and the accuracy of participant reports. To support his case, the author reviews research that explores the limits of a psychology …

Accidental Inversion During 3d Rotation With 2-Dof Input Devices, Derek Daniel Diaz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on a human operator's ability to perform rotational control of a three-dimensional object using two-degrees of freedom (DOF) interface devices. Although input devices designed specifically for 3D interaction exist, devices traditionally used for two-dimensional user interaction, such as a mouse or joystick, have become ubiquitous to computer tasks. This research examines a particular human-computer interaction issue that arises from stimulus-response compatibility between three-dimensional stimuli spaces and 2-DOF response sets. The focal point of this research is a phenomenon referred to here as accidental inversion. Accidental inversions occur when an operator erroneously moves a three-dimensional object in a …

The Perceived Psychosocial Benefits Of Pet Ownership On Child Development: A Parental Perspective, Erin K. Leahy

Theses : Honours

The purpose of this review is to explore the beneficial role pets play in facilitating the psychosocial development of preadolescent children. It is proposed that the pet is perceived by both the child and parent as a developmental resource during preadolescent development, as it assists the child in accomplishing key developmental tasks such as responsibility and autonomy, socialisation and the development of humanistic qualities. This review also highlights the importance of pets in assisting preadolescents develop self esteem and identity, and examines how pets give children new perspective on important life matters such as birth, illness and death. Attainment of …

The Needs Of Western Australian Parents Of Children With An Autism Spectrum Disorder, As Influenced By The Age Of The Child, Kerry Stedman

Theses : Honours

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) impact upon parental stress levels above and beyond other childhood disorders. Nevertheless, little systematic research has been done on the perceived needs of parents of children with ASD. The literature has, however, reported that having a child with ASD impacts upon parental well being. These parents report increased levels of stress, depression, dysphoria, fear and marital difficulties as well as other problems. Although there is a debate in current research as to whether the age of the child with ASD affects parental well being, much of the body of knowledge suggests that different stressors and needs …

Academic And Social Self-Efficacy In Honors And Non-Honors University Students, Carmen Marie Krapfl

Honors Program Theses

Self-efficacy research has shown that successful past experiences have an influential impact on self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977). The purpose of this study was to compare academic and social self-efficacy between university honors and non-honors students. It was hypothesized that honors students would score higher on academic self-efficacy, but would have lower social self efficacy than their non-honors peers. Participants were invited to complete questionnaires on self-efficacy and background information. Results show that honors and non-honors students do not differ significantly in their general or social self-efficacy, but honors students had significantly higher academic self-efficacy. Further research is needed into the cause …

Exploring The Ligand Binding Site On The Dopamine Transporter By Photoaffinity Labeling And Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Maria Laura Parnas

Theses and Dissertations

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a neuronal presynaptic transmembrane protein that clears released dopamine (DA) from the synaptic space, regulating the neurotransmitter concentration and availability, DAT and the related serotonin (SERT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters belong to the SLC6 family of Na+ and CI- dependent symporters, and are major targets for the action of several drugs, including the psychostimulant cocaine. DAT is predicted to possess 12 transmembrane spanning domains (TMs), with both N- and C-termini located intracellularly. Extensive research efforts to gain insight on the molecular aspects of DAT have been attempted, but the three-dimensional arrangement of the protein as …

Instead Of Erklären And Verstehen: William James On Human Understanding, David E. Leary

Psychology Faculty Publications

Perhaps more than any other American psychologist and philosopher, William James (1842-1910) was intimately familiar with contemporary European thought and debate, including the discussion of Erklären and Verstehen advanced by Wilhelm Dilthey (1833-1911) and others around the turn of the twentieth century. Even before this discussion was initiated, James had been dealing with related issues, pondering alternative solutions, and formulating his own original views on human understanding. These views coalesced in a distinctive approach to cognition. Fundamental to this approach was a belief in possibility and probability as innate features of the physical as well as mental manifestations of the …

Alleviating Skin Picking Behavior In Prader-Willi Syndrome Using Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors And Topiramate: A Review Of The Literature, Jessica M. Blurton

Modern Psychological Studies

This paper discusses what is known currently about treating skin picking behavior in people with Prader-Willi Syndrome using Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and topiramate. Because of small samples and flawed methodology it is argued that the advantages and disadvantages of either drug therapy are not fully known at this time, but that future research is strongly indicated. Some suggestions for further studies are discussed.

Resiliency Factors: Predictors Of Quality Of Life In Family Caregivers Of Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Beatrice Hamblin Chakraborty

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease resulting from generalized degeneration of motor cells in the brain and spinal cord (The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association [ALSA], 2004). Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS has no conclusive etiology, no known cure, and death generally occurs within three to five years following the diagnosis (Rabkin, Wagner, & Del Bene, 2000). Given the devastating and predictable course of ALS, it is understandable that this disease can have a profound, adverse impact on the quality of life (QOL) of the patient and the caregiver. However, not all caregivers, particularly spouses who …

Individualism-Collectivism, Values, And Help Seeking Attitudes Among Indian And American College Students, Ateka Contractor

Masters Theses

The present study examined cross-cultural differences in individualistic and collectivistic values and behaviors, the cultural value dimensions of conservatism, openness to change, self-enhancement, self-transcendence, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among American and Indian college students. Data were collected from 111 students at Eastern Illinois University in the U.S. and from 78 students of Mumbai University in India. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Individualism-Collectivism Interpersonal Assessment Inventory, the Schwartz Value Survey and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale. Statistical analyses were computed using I tests for independent means, 2 Way ANOVAs, multiple regression analyses and descriptive …

Applying The Appraisal Theory Of Emotionto Human-Agent Interaction, Aaron Pepe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous robots are increasingly being used in everyday life; cleaning our floors, entertaining us and supplementing soldiers in the battlefield. As emotion is a key ingredient in how we interact with others, it is important that our emotional interaction with these new entities be understood. This dissertation proposes using the appraisal theory of emotion (Roseman, Scherer, Schorr, & Johnstone, 2001) to investigate how we understand and evaluate situations involving this new breed of robot. This research involves two studies; in the first study an experimental method was used in which participants interacted with a live dog, a robotic dog or …

Locus Of Control And Self-Efficacy: Potential Mediators Of Stress, Illness, And Utilization Of Health Services In College Studen, Angela Roddenberry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stress has been linked to increased illness in several biologically based studies. In contrast, only a limited number of studies have assessed psychological variables related to stress, with self-efficacy and locus of control serving as potentially important variables. Thus, the current study investigated the mediating effects of self-efficacy and locus of control in the relationship between stress, psychological and physical symptoms, and the utilization of health services in college students. Results suggested that stress was correlated positively with symptoms. External locus of control was correlated positively with stress and symptoms, and self-efficacy was correlated negatively with stress and symptoms. Further, …

Relations Between Personality And Coping: A Meta-Analysis, Jennifer K. Connor-Smith, Celeste Flachsbart

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Personality may directly facilitate or constrain coping, but relations of personality to coping have been inconsistent across studies, suggesting a need for greater attention to methods and samples. This meta-analysis tested moderators of relations between Big Five personality traits and coping using 2,653 effect sizes drawn from 165 samples and 33,094 participants. Personality was weakly related to broad coping (e.g., Engagement or Disengagement), but all 5 traits predicted specific strategies. Extraversion and Conscientiousness predicted more problem-solving and cognitive restructuring, Neuroticism less. Neuroticism predicted problematic strategies like wishful thinking, withdrawal, and emotion-focused coping but, like Extraversion, also predicted support seeking. Personality …

Cognitive Implications Of Facilitating Echoic Persistence, Carryl L. Baldwin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Seventeen participants performed a tone-pattern-matching task at different presentation levels while concurrently engaged in a simulated-driving task. Presentation levels of 60, 65, and 70 dBC (SPL) were combined factorially with tone-matching delays of 2, 3, and 4 sec. Intensity had no effect on performance in single-task conditions and short-delay conditions. However, when the participants were engaged concurrently in the driving task, a significant interaction between presentation level and delay was observed. In the longest delay condition, the participants performed the tone-patten-matching task more efficiently (more quickly and without additional errors) as presentation intensity increased. These findings demonstrate the interaction between …

Observations Of Rough-Toothed Dolphins (Steno Bredanensis) Off The Coast Of Utila, Honduras, Stan A. Kuczaj Ii, Deirdre Yeater

Psychology Faculty Publications

Local dive shop operators and fishermen report that rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) are frequently encountered off the coast of Utila, Honduras, (16°05'46.5"N 86°55'47.8"W). Our observations suggest that at least some of these animals may constitute a resident population, although the extent of the resident group’s home range has not been determined. Twenty-eight rough-toothed dolphins were identified using photoidentification techniques, 15 of which were re-sighted on two or more occasions. The 12 animals that were re-sighted four or more times were typically seen together, suggesting that they constitute a stable social group. At least one of these dolphins is …

The Influence Of Parental Monitoring And Peer Deviance On Substance Use Among Middle School Students, Sally Ann Mays

Theses and Dissertations

Substance use is a significant problem among middle school students in the United States. Research indicates that the early use of substances increases the likelihood of negative outcomes including long-term use and abuse. Both parenting and peer variables exert strong influences on children's decisions to use or abstain from substances. As children age, peers begin to exert a stronger influence, but parenting practices can significantly reduce peers' harmful influences. In this study, three waves of data (collected at the end of 6th grade, and the beginning and end of 7th grade) from a large multi-site study were used to examine …

Perceptions Of Parental Rejection, Peer Rejection, And Peer Victimization In Relation To Self-Reported Depression, Clayton Joseph Egli

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The present study compared perceptions of parental rejection, peer rejection, peer victimization, and depression in a sample of children from the Midwest. Self-report measures were completed by 71 participants (ages 7-12) in their regular classroom setting. Correlational analyses were conducted and found significant positive relationships between the identified constructs. Maternal rejection, paternal rejection, relational victimization, overt victimization, and peer rejection were found to correlate with depression for girls. Boys had significant correlations for maternal rejection, paternal rejection, and relational victimization with depression. Overt victimization did not significantly correlate with depression for boys. The peer rejection measure showed insufficient reliability for …

Grade Retention In High Stakes And Low Stakes Testing Years, Anna Elizabeth Ball

LSU Master's Theses

Recent political calls for an end to social promotion have led to an era in which many states are using high stakes tests to make retention decisions. Several decades of research have shown that retention is not an effective practice academically or socially. Louisiana is one state that has adopted a high stakes testing policy. This study examines a state-wide database to examine the predictors of retention in high stakes and low stakes testing years. Multiple regression analyses, discriminant analyses, and logistic regression analyses were run on data from students in grade 4 through grade 8 in Louisiana. The results …

Assessing The Influence Of Religion On Health Behavior, David B. Creel

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A primary aim of this study was to confirm the factor structure of the Health and Religious Congruency Scale (HARCS), a measure previously developed by the same research team. The HARCS questions directly link religious beliefs/activities to health behaviors. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the current data fit poorly to the factor structure found in the pilot study. Because the current sample was more religiously diverse than the pilot study sample, and could potentially provide a factor structure that better reflects the views of individuals from different religious affiliations, a principal components analysis was conducted on the current data. …

An Applied Evaluation Of Resurgence: Functional Communication Training (Fct) And Treatment Relapse, Valerie Marie Volkert

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Extinction is a very important component of functional communication training (FCT). Thus, the potential undesirable effects of extinction must be considered before this type of treatment is implemented. Resurgence, the recurrence of previously reinforced behavior when another behavior is placed on extinction, is a possible undesirable effect of extinction. Resurgence may account for some instances of treatment relapse in situations where problem behavior recovers following implementation of extinction-based treatments such as FCT. Despite the potential relevance of resurgence to understanding why problem behavior may re-emerge, few applied studies have examined resurgence effects. The current study attempted to determine whether resurgence …