Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing Workload In The Classroom Using Interactive Presentation Software, Connor Mackenzie

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

Perceived workload assessments in children have been administered individually in laboratory settings. This study assessed workload in a classroom using the interactive presentation tool Mentimeter to administer the NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Children assessed workload following two cognitive tasks. In addition, the children completed a self-report of executive function. Findings revealed that children’s perceived workload matched the objective demands of the task indicating that workload assessments may be a useful tool in the classroom. Although executive function predicted objective performance, it did not predict perceived workload.

Dissociative Identity Disorder: Etiology, Media, And Stigma, Leah N. Millard

Student Publications

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is often portrayed incorrectly in the media, causing the public to know little about the disorder other than the stigmatizing information from the media. Because of this, individuals with the disorder often face more stigmatizing behaviors than the "normal" amount of stigma those with mental disorders often face. The newest revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) contributes the etiology of the disorder to underlying trauma, however many psychologists consider a "sociocognitive" or "fantasy" model. Current research provides more support for the trauma/posttraumatic model of the disorder and further supports the harm …

Examining Biobehavioral Indicators Of Adhd In Children With Fxs, Hannah Pressler

Senior Theses

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity behaviors that are inconsistent with developmental age. Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, are often diagnosed with comorbid ADHD (53-59% of males with FXS). Despite the prevalence of ADHD in FXS, little is known about the early manifestation of ADHD. The current project aims to explore group differences in play behaviors between children with FXS and typically developing (TD) children as well as the correlation of infant play behavior and heart activity to future ADHD attention outcomes. Participants included male children with FXS and …

The Dark Triad Predicted By Belief In Determinism And Objectification, Rachel Boros

Theses and Dissertations

While philosophers and psychologists continue to debate the existence of free will without reaching any consensus, recent attention has shifted to the matter of the consequences of belief in free will, or belief in the alternative, determinism. Proponents of the latter position argue that human behavior is the result of causal forces, which implies a lack of autonomy in decision-making and inevitability (Paulhus & Carey, 2011). Recent research has found consequences of belief in determinism that include the promotion of undesirable behavior and undermining of moral behavior (Vohs & Schooler, 2008), impulsive and selfish responses demonstrated through aggression (Baumeister, Masicampo, …

Oops I Drank It Again: Predictors Of Emerging Adults’ Unplanned Drinking, Ashley Rose Adams

Theses and Dissertations

Heavy alcohol consumption in college increases risk for sexual assault, decreases academic performance, and can lead to future development of alcohol-related problems or negative developmental outcomes. Given these potential negative consequences, it is critical to investigate ways emerging adults at colleges are using and abusing alcohol. Previous research has shown that unplanned drinking is related to negative outcomes; therefore, examining predictors of unplanned drinking is important for determining at-risk groups. The current study investigated variables that are established predictors of alcohol use and misuse in emerging adults, including impulsivity, caregiver problem drinking, and age of onset alcohol use. These variables …

A Parametric Analysis Of The Sunk Cost Effect, Amanda F. Devoto

Dissertations

Sunk costs are previous investments of time, effort, or money toward a goal that cannot be recovered. People often honor sunk costs by continuing to pursue a goal, despite the availability of an alternative path that would pay off faster, a phenomenon called the sunk cost effect. Prior research has identified variables that influence the sunk cost effect. One variable found in hypothetical scenario-based research and in behavior-based research (Pattison et al., 2011) has been percent of goal completed. The current study was designed to (1) replicate and extend research by Pattison and colleagues and (2) compare results from the …

Eeg Reinvestigations Of Visual Statistical Learning For Faces, Scenes, And Objects, Mei Grace Behrendt, P. Cheng Lim, Aaron T. Halvorsen, Karl Kuntzelman, Matthew R. Johnson

UCARE: Research Products

The objective of this ongoing, replication study is to understand temporal and spatial patterns in our environment by using the technique of electroencephalography (EEG). Visual statistical learning (VSL) helps us to understand conditional probabilities from our environments. This concept is why we know that chairs are located under tables, not above. The goal of this study is to understand whether participants can unconsciously associate pairs of items (faces, scenes, and objects) from their short-term memory. Strong pairs become more similar to each other, as compared to weak pairs, which become less similar. In the main task, participants saw items appear …

Closing The Gap Between Generations, Gabrielle Poeder

Student Scholars Day Posters

Older and younger generations are often living in separate spaces in our society. In this poster, I will discuss the factors that may cause such separation, the effects living alone can have on older adults, and the benefits that can result from creating relationships between the different generations through intergenerational volunteering programs. I will also address how we can bridge the gap between these generations and propose an intergenerational program that can help ease the aging process, benefit younger individuals, and create a more integrated society.

Perceptions Of Identity Transitions: Race And Gender Not Equally Alterable, Maria Sanchez-Rodriguez

Student Scholars Day Posters

Growing acceptance of transgender identities in the absence of parallel shifts regarding race can be perceived as somewhat paradoxical, especially in light of how differently each construct is imagined to be rooted in biology. Perceptions of race and gender as alterable aspects of identity were explored using four identity transition scenarios. Participants’ beliefs about identity transitions were dependent upon both the type of transition and political ideology. Results indicate that identity transitions involving gender (both male to female and female to male) and one race transition (white to black) were perceived similarly whereas the black to white transition was perceived …

Effects Of Nmda Receptor Antagonists On The Differential-Reinforcement-Of-Low-Rate 72 Second (Drl 72) Responding In Rats, Cayla Lynch

All NMU Master's Theses

The noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist dextromethorphan and its metabolite dextrorphan have widespread effects on the central nervous system. Dextromethorphan alone and with quinidine (a CYP-450 2D6 inhibitor) have been shown to produce antidepressant effects in preclinical and clinical trials. Sex differences and the effect of estrous cycle on differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72 second (DRL72) responding have yet to be examined. The aim of the present study was to extend the preclinical antidepressant evidence of dextromethorphan and evaluate sex and estrous cycle influence using the DRL72 operant task in rats. Dextromethorphan (60.0 mg/kg) alone produced a decrease in responses and an increase in …

Attitudes And Beliefs Of Christian Denominations Toward Mental Health, Javier Velez

Dissertations

This empirical study assessed common attitudes and beliefs toward mental health services in the varying denominations of Christian churches. Specifically, the objective of this study was to identify the effects of Christian denomination on attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment and to identify whether there are racial and age differences that also impact those attitudes within the church. The study sought to answer the following questions: (a) What is the difference in attitudes and beliefs between different races toward mental health services in the church among Christians? (b) Is there an age difference in attitudes and beliefs toward mental health …

Malleability Of Neural Activity In Response To Treatment: Fmri Biomarkers Across Intervention For Autistic Adolescents, Alana J. Mcvey

Dissertations (1934 -)

Autistic adolescents frequently experience clinical levels of anxiety which exacerbate social difficulties. Those that receive a well-validated social skills intervention, the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®), have shown improvements in both social behavior and anxiety. Prior literature has demonstrated neural changes in response to this intervention using EEG, and recent literature highlights the importance of using neural markers to assess for intervention response in autism. No study to date, however, has examined changes in neural activity via fMRI and links with social behavior and anxiety across the PEERS® intervention for autistic adolescents. Thus, the present …

The Era Of Commercialized Genetics: Examining The Intersection Of Dna, Identity, And Personal Origin, Joanna Hutchins 20

Honor Scholar Theses

No abstract provided.

William James's Use Of Temperaments And Types, David E. Leary

Psychology Faculty Publications

What did William James mean when he claimed that the history of philosophy is “to a great extent” a “clash of human temperaments”? Did this mean that philosophers, in his estimation, are bound to represent one or the other type, or orientation, associated with various generalized philosophical positions? Did it mean that philosophers were necessarily, in his terminology, either “tender-minded” or “tough-minded”? And if philosophical arguments are, in fact, expressions of physiological factors, through what means do these factors achieve expression? What, in sum, did James mean to imply when he invoked the concept of “temperament” and used the related …

College Student Perceptions Of Adhd: Links Between Prior Knowledge And Stigma, Caterina Langlois

Senior Honors Theses

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by persistent inattention, which might or might not accompany hyperactivity and impulsivity, that noticeably interferes with functioning and development in at least two settings. It is a commonly diagnosed childhood mental health disorder. Public knowledge and attitudes towards ADHD are an important consideration for those who are going to potentially be working with that population. Research has shown older children and parents may attribute ADHD behavior to poor social skills or immaturity. Teachers often report feeling unprepared to have a student with ADHD and would like more training. Some research has shown the …

The Origins Beliefs Of Christian College Students, Emily Wilkinson

Senior Honors Theses

Many studies have focused on creation and evolution in academia, origins beliefs and biblical interpretation, and how students respond to origins challenges. The author then conducted a phenomenology of Christian college students’ origins beliefs, factors that influence those beliefs, and impacts that the beliefs have on students’ lives. Methods included a 44-Item Big Five Inventory and semi-structured interviews. Participants were eight residential undergraduate students at a Christian university who were currently or previously in a creation studies course. Results indicated that all participants held to young-earth creationism, and that family, Christian faith, education, personality, and academic major influenced the development …

The Relationship Between Vocational Interests And Parenting Styles Moderated By Work-Family Integration, Kendall Mcgoey

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Parental Mental Health Help-Seeking: Addressing Service Utilization Disparities Across Ethnic Minorities, Quyen Nguyen

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Relative Contribution Of Taxonomic And Thematic Knowledge When Making Similarity Judgements, Niels Dickson

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Linguistic And Nonlinguistic Attentional Direction On English Speakers’ Eyewitness Memory And Similarity Judgements Of Path And Manner Differences, Logan Bryce Fontenot

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Ego Depletion And Deception On Thin-Slicing Accuracy, Jessica C. Lowe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the effects of ego depletion and deception on thin slicing. Experiment 1 examined whether participants could identify a video that contained a lie at an accuracy rate better-than-chance. Fifty-five percent of participants selected the deception video, which provided support that the videos were distinguishable. Experiment 2 assessed whether ego depletion and deception could decrease thin-slicing accuracy. The main effect of deception on deception accuracy was significant, such that participants in the deception condition had lower deception accuracy than participants in the no-deception condition. The main effect of depletion and the interaction of depletion and …

Sense Of Community Among Independently Housed Individuals With Serious Mental Illness, Ladonna L. Gleason

Theses and Dissertations

People with serious mental illness often struggle to fully integrate into their communities and feel accepted within their own neighborhoods. Prior research suggests that people who participate in supportive or supported housing programsmay benefit fromsupport designed to facilitate integration within one’s community. However, little prior research has explored how sense of community is constructed for individuals who live in the community without benefit of support programs. With so little research concerned with sense of community for those without housing services, there exists a large gap in the literature for this population. The purpose of the current study was to add …

Unveiling God In Counseling: The Compatibility Of Christian Theology And The Modern Therapeutic Process, Kelvin Jamaal Mack

Senior Theses

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the compatibility of Christian theology and a modern therapeutic process informed by secularism. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate that the conceptualization of an active God in the therapeutic process is essential for counselors and clients who adhere to the Christian faith. This conceptualization is either missing or altered by therapeutic processes that operate under the worldview assumptions of secularism. This is what is described as the veiling of God. To explore this issue, a four-tiered analytical approach has been invoked. First, a brief history of secularism and its major …

Quantifying Brain Network Coordination During The Imaginal Replay Of Naturalistic Shared Experiences Through Role-Playing Games, Zachary Traylor

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Theraputic Strategies For Altering The Trajectory Of Neurocognitive Impairments In Hiv-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders In The Post-Cart Era, Kristen Addie Mclaurin

Theses and Dissertations

The marked increase in life expectancy for individuals with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), following the great success of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), necessitates an investigation of the progression of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), and associated neural mechanisms, across the functional lifespan. Furthermore, given the persistence of HAND in the post-cART era, there remains a critical need to develop adjunctive therapeutics targeting the neural mechanisms underlying HAND. Thus, the guiding hypothesis for the present study was threefold. First, that there will be a differential progression of NCI in HIV-1 Tg and control animals. Second, that synaptodendritic dysfunction will …

Personal Beliefs About The Effectiveness Of A Primary Seat Belt Law In Virginia Versus North Carolina, Rochelle A. Rushlow

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Seat belt law strength (primary versus secondary) affects the ability of law enforcement to enforce consistent seat belt use, especially in secondary seat belt law states. Certain demographics correlate with seat belt law effectiveness beliefs and overall seat belt use. The current study used an overall omnibus model to determine the strength of the relationship among demographics and beliefs in the effectiveness of primary seat belt laws. A survey was deployed to Mechanical Turk (MTurk) users who were Virginia or North Carolina residents, held a valid United States driver’s license, and were at least 18 years old. Three hundred twenty-four …

Effects Of Transparency And Haze On Trust And Performance During A Full Motion Video Analysis Task, Sarah C. Leibner

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Automation is pervasive across all task domains, but its adoption poses unique challenges within the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) domain. When users are unable to establish optimal levels of trust in the automation, task accuracy, speed, and automation usage suffer (Chung & Wark, 2016). Degraded visual environments (DVEs) are a particular problem in ISR; however, their specific effects on trust and task performance are still open to investigation (Narayanaswami, Gandhe, & Mehra, 2010). Research suggests that transparency of automation is necessary for users to accurately calibrate trust levels (Lyons et al., 2017). Chen et al. (2014) proposed three levels …

Mental Health Counselors' Perceptions On Preparedness In Integrated Behavioral Healthcare In Underserved Areas, Kyulee Park

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Integration of behavioral and primary healthcare (IBH) has been increasingly suggested as a model approach in serving historically marginalized populations, including rural, Healthcare Provider Shortage (HPSA), and Medically Underserved (MUA) communities (Coleman & Patrick, 1976; Wong et al., 2019). However, there is no evidence-based practices in interprofessional education and training for professional mental health counselors to serve as competent practitioners in integrated behavioral healthcare. This study examined the gap in interprofessional and counselor education literature by identifying the lived experiences and perceptions of mental health professionals in integrated settings and assessed the need areas in current counselor education. A phenomenological …

Clinical And Cortical Decline In The Aphasic Variant Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Derin J. Cobia, Emily Joy Rogalski, Jaiashre Sridhar, Adam Martersteck, Benjamin Rader, Anupa K. Arora, Angela J. Fought, Eileen H. Bigio, Sandra Weintraub, Marek-Marsel Mesulam, Alfred Rademaker

Faculty Publications

Introduction—Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) displays variable progression trajectories that require further elucidation.

Methods—Longitudinal quantitation of atrophy and language over 12 months was completed for PPA patients with and without positive amyloid PET (PPAAβ+ and PPAAβ−), an imaging biomarker of underlying Alzheimer’s disease. Results—Over 12 months, both PPA groups showed significantly greater cortical atrophy rates in the left versus right hemisphere, with a more widespread pattern in PPAAβ+. The PPAAβ− group also showed greater decline in performance on most language tasks. There was no obligatory relationship between the logopenic PPA variant and amyloid status. Effect sizes from quantitative MRI data were …

Cognitive Reappraisal And Expressive Suppression: An Examination Of Their Associations With Seeking Social Support, Well-Being And Academic Performance, Khalid Abdulazem Mohamed Ahmed

Theses

This thesis examined individual differences regarding two prominent emotion regulation processes - cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression - and their associations with social functioning, psychological well-being, and academic performance. Six hypotheses were proposed. It was hypothesized that frequent use of cognitive reappraisal is positively correlated with seeking social support, psychological well-being, and academic performance, while the chronic use of expressive suppression is negatively associated with the three factors. Additionally, the differences between high reappraisers and low reappraisers, and between high suppressors and low suppressors, were investigated to confirm the results following the correlational analyses. An online survey was conducted …