Digital Commons Network^™

Overcoming Response Bias Using Symbolic Representations Of Number By Chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes), Sarah T. Boysen, Kimberly L. Mukobi, Gary G. Berntson

Sentience Collection

We previously reported that chimpanzees were unable to optimally select the smaller of two candy arrays in order to receive a larger reward. When Arabic numerals were substituted for the candy arrays, animals who had had prior training with numerical symbols showed an immediate and significant improvement in performance and were able to select reliably the smaller numeric representation in order to obtain a larger reward. Poor performance with candy arrays was interpreted as reflecting a response bias toward the intrinsic incentive and/or perceptual features of the larger array. In contrast, the Arabic numerals represent numerosity symbolically and appear to …

Intuitive Understanding Of Time And Space At The Age Of Four, Josephine Barry-Davis

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the central hypothesis that “children by the age of four years construct accurate and lasting conceptions o f time (past, present, future) and space (near and far away).” In order to test this hypothesis the researcher relied on qualitative research guidelines developed and published in recent years to address social science and educational research issues. The research design is especially applicable to young children where the researcher assumes the role of participant observer. In order to control for the context of the research, the children were observed for time and space cognitive …

Visuomotor Adaptation Without Vision?, Frank H. Durgin, A. Pelah

Psychology Faculty Works

In 1995, an aftereffect following treadmill running was described, in which people would inadvertently advance when attempting to run in place on solid ground with their eyes closed. Although originally induced from treadmill running, the running-in-place aftereffect is argued here to result from the absence of sensory information specifying advancement during running. In a series of experiments in which visual information was systematically manipulated, aftereffect strength (AE), measured as the proportional increase (post-test/pre-test) in forward drift while attempting to run in place with eyes closed, was found to be inversely related to the amount of geometrically correct optical flow provided …

Effects Of Methylphenidate On The Sensitivity To Reinforcement In Children Diagnosed With Adhd: An Application Of Matching Law, Laura Kay Murray

Masters Theses

This experiment evaluated the effects of methylphenidate on sensitivity to reinforcement of children diagnosed with ADHD using matching law.

Four children (2 males and 2 females) between the ages of 6 and 10 who were previously diagnosed with ADHD completed easy math problems to earn tokens under four different variable-interval (VI) schedules of reinforcement presented in random order. The rate of completed math problems was plotted against the mean frequency of obtained reinforcers at each schedule value in tokens per minute. The data were fit to the following single-rate hyperbolic equation (Herrnstein, 1970): R = kr/r+r₀.

Results show …

Correlates Of Health And Success Among Psychology Graduate Students: Stress, Distress, Coping, Well Being, And Social Support, Nancy G. Nelson

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This study was designed to examine factors associated with academic success among graduate students i n clinical psychology. Success was defined as higher GPA's, higher scores on the G R E (total, verbal and quantitative) and the acquisition of a "special commendation" from psychology faculty members. After a careful review of the literature, it was hypothesized that graduate students in clinical psychology who were more successful would be likely to have lower resting heart rates and lower blood pressure, and to report less stress, less distress, higher levels of social support , use of more " positive" and fewer " …

Law And The Ideal Citizen, Lee C. Bollinger

Washington and Lee Law Review

No abstract provided.

Nonmigrainous Pediatric Headache Management: Thermal Biofeedback And Parent Guidelines, Richard E. Arndorfer

Dissertations

This study explored the utility of the combination of thermal biofeedback and parent-mediated pain behavior management guidelines as a treatment for children experiencing nonmigrainous headache. Five children, ages 8 to 14, were assigned to baselines of varying lengths prior to receiving treatment. Four of the five children demonstrated significant reductions in one or more headache parameters (frequency, duration, average peak intensity) following treatment. The utility of thermal biofeedback and parent-mediated guidelines are supported as a treatment for children suffering from nonmigrainous headache.

Improving Special Education Teachers' Use Of Data-Based Instruction, Steven D. Goodman

Dissertations

The data-based decision model involves frequent measures of student performance (i.e., 2 - 5 times per week), frequent analysis of performance data (weekly or bi-weekly), and the application of decision rules. In the first study, we surveyed 406 special education teachers state-wide. Results of the survey suggest that the databased decision model is not generally practiced by special educators in the field. Just over one quarter of the respondents report to assessing student performance frequently enough to qualify as using the model. Only 10% of respondents indicate that they generally graph student performance. Additionally, less than 23% of respondents who …

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Swallowing Dysfunctions : Semg Cognitive Training As An Adjunct To Conventional Therapy, Vicky T. Nguyen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study compared surface electromyography (sEMG) cognitive training to conventional myofunctional therapy in controlling a swallowing dysfunction, commonly referred to as "tongue thrust". Nasal airway resistance (NAR) was assessed on every subject, to rule out mechanical obstruction that would prevent proper function. The scope of this investigation composed of evaluating baseline activity and dry swallowing patterns. Subjects were distributed to one of three treatment groups: sEMG cognitive training, conventional myofunctional therapy, and control, based on the degree of NAR (normal, mild, or moderate). Initial sEMG recordings were then taken on subjects that clinically demonstrated a tongue thrust habit to confirm …

A Three-Choice Drug Discrimination Procedure Differentiates The Stimulus Effects Of D-Amphetamine And Mdma, Amy K. Goodwin

Masters Theses

(±)-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces effects in humans that are reportedly similar to those of CNS stimulants. However, drug discrimination studies in nonhumans have yielded inconsistent results regarding the similarities between MDMA and d-amphetamine. Sixteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to discriminate d-amphetamine, MDMA, and saline in a three-lever drug discrimination procedure. In addition, differential outcomes were employed during drug discrimination training with eight of the rats but this did not appear to facilitate the acquisition of the discrimination. Cocaine (0.25-10.0 mg/kg) produced dose dependent increases in d-amphetamine-appropriate responding with complete substitution at the highest dose administered. LSD (0.02-0.16 mg/kg), produced dose …

The Use Of Curriculum-Based Measurement To Evaluate The Effects Of A Remedial Education Program, Michael D. Hixson

Dissertations

This study examined the effectiveness of two Direct Instruction programs: Corrective Reading: Decoding and Connecting Math Concepts. The effectiveness of the interventions was evaluated using a single-subject experimental design with curriculumbased measurement (CBM) probes as the main means of assessment. Other methods of assessment included standardized achievement tests, school reports, and pre- and postcurriculum- based assessment probes. The CBM probes for all students were sensitive to the effects of the interventions, although there was a great deal of variability in the CBM reading probes and little correspondence across methods of assessment. The results indicate that the two Direct Instruction programs …

Relationships Between Gender, Personal, And Collective Self-Esteem, And Feminist Identity, Lesley E. Johnson

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Unintended Consequences Of Arousing Fear In Social Marketing, Nadine Henley, Rob Donovan

School of Marketing, Tourism and Leisure Publications

The intention of social marketers, by definition, is to contribute to social good. However, an unintended consequence of the frequent use of fear-arousal in social marketing may be the creation of a sense of helplessness both in the target market and in unintended markets. Arousing fear may be counterproductive when attempting to persuade some people to abandon anxiety-soothing, addictive behaviours, such as smoking, drug and alcohol use (Firestone 1994) and may lead to counterproductive, fatalistic thinking and maladaptive responses (Job 1988; Rippetoe & Rogers 1987). The possibility that fear arousal creates helplessness is an important issue for marketing in the …

Unintended Consequences Of Arousing Fear In Social Marketing, Nadine Henley, Rob Donovan

Research outputs pre 2011

The intention of social marketers, by definition, is to contribute to social good. However, an unintended consequence of the frequent use of fear-arousal in social marketing may be the creation of a sense of helplessness both in the target market and in unintended markets. Arousing fear may be counterproductive when attempting to persuade some people to abandon anxiety-soothing, addictive behaviours, such as smoking, drug and alcohol use (Firestone 1994) and may lead to counterproductive, fatalistic thinking and maladaptive responses (Job 1988; Rippetoe & Rogers 1987). The possibility that fear arousal creates helplessness is an important issue for marketing in the …

The History Of Social Psychology As The Study Of Socialization And Fairness With Implications For Conflict: A Brief Review, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article highlights the history of social psychology as a research primer on socialization and fairness. The article also conceives of this primer as bearing on the essential nature of conflict.

Trends. Nato And Yugoslavia: Data On Data, On Knowing What To Know, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the recent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bombing of the People's Republic of China's embassy in Belgrade.

Misplaced Faith In Psychological Holiness: Murder, Suicide, Swiss Guards, And The Vatican, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes some of the problems in employing psychological testing to decrease the probability of murder perpetrated by employees in the job environment.

Problems With The Psychopathy Construct, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article highlights problems with the construct validity of psychopathy at the interface of clinical and social description.

The Politics Of Placebo, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article explores definitions of the construct placebo in a political context.

Trends. Causal Attributions And The Subversion Of Time: Would An Indictment Of The Israeli Foreign, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The article discusses the indictment of the Israeli Foreign Minister by the Israeli State Attorney on charges of fraud, bribery, and witness tampering.

The Relationships Among Racial Attitude, Racial Preference And Academic Performance In African American Children, Alberta D. Jones

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

In this study, the racial attitude, racial preference, and academic performance were examined. The purpose of the study was to determine if relationships existed between racial attitude and racial preference, racial attitude and academic performance, and racial preference, and racial preference and academic performance. Racial attitude and racial preference were measured using the Children's Racial Attitude and Racial Preference Test developed by Maxine L. Clark (1996). Teachers provided individual grades in math and reading to determine each child's academic performance. There were 56 African American first-graders from a predominately Black elementary school in this study. The results revealed a statistically …

Alcohol Consumption Among African American College Students: Implications For Rehabilitation, Zenia Ward

Electronic Dissertations and Theses

This study investigated the alcohol consumption and stress factors related to alcohol use among 1,475 African American college students attending three different historically black colleges and universities. The Assessment Questionnaire of Behavior Patterns and Stress in College Students was used in this research. Results indicated no significant gender differences in the frequency of alcohol use. However, considerable gender differences were found in getting high or drunk. Only slight differences in alcohol consumption were found for age. Data analyses revealed significant stress factors related to incidences of getting high and gender, particularly for males. Implications for university and rehabilitation professionals are …

Retention Of Academic Skills Over The Summer Months In Alternative And Traditional Calendar Schools, Christy Nofsinger

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Alternative calendar schools are increasingly popular alternatives to the traditional nine-month school year and a three-month summer vacation. One purported advantage of a shorter summer vacation is the greater retention of academic material because there is less time to "forget" what was learned. While alternative calendar schools appear to be increasing in number, little research has been conducted to actually measure academic differences in these schools. The purpose of this research was to systematically compare the retention of academic skills of students in traditional and alternative calendar schools over the summer months. Three county-wide school districts participated in this study. …

Maternal Behaviour Q-Sort, David R. Pederson, Greg Moran, Sandi Bento

Psychology Publications

No abstract provided.

Local And Global Stereopsis In The Horse., B Timney, K Keil

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Although horses have laterally-placed eyes, there is substantial binocular overlap, allowing for the possibility that these animals have stereopsis. In the first experiment of the present study we measured local stereopsis by obtaining monocular and binocular depth thresholds for renal depth stimuli. On all measures, the horses' binocular performance was superior to their monocular. When depth thresholds were obtained, binocular thresholds were several times superior to those obtained monocularly, suggesting that the animals could use stereoscopic information when it was available. The binocular thresholds averaged about 15 min arc. In the second experiment we obtained evidence for the presence of …

When Accuracy Hurts: Reactions Of Anxious–Ambivalent Dating Partners To A Relationship-Threatening Situation., William Ickes, Jami Grich, Jeffry A. Simpson

Psychology Faculty Publications - Archive

Why are individuals who are anxious and uncertain about their partner’s love and commitment especially likely to have turbulent and unstable relationships? Guided by three theoretical perspectives—Ickes and Simpson’s (1997) model of empathic accuracy in relationships, Bowlby’s (1969, 1973) attachment theory, and Holmes and Rempel’s (1989) appraisal model of trust, we examined how one psychological process—heightened empathic accuracy in relationship-threatening situations—might be associated with personal and relational distress. The participants inferred their dating partner's thoughts and feelings from a videotaped interaction in which they and their partner rated and discussed slides of either highly attractive or less attractive opposite-sex individuals. …

Physical Violence During Pregnancy: Maternal Complications And Birth Outcomes, Vilma E. Cokkinides, Ann L. Coker, Maureen Sanderson, Cheryl Addy, Lesa Bethea

CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles

Objective: To assess the association between physical violence during the 12 months before delivery and maternal complications and birth outcomes.

Methods: We used population-based data from 6143 women who delivered live-born infants between 1993 and 1995 in South Carolina. Data on women's physical violence during pregnancy were based on self-reports of partner-inflicted physical hurt and being involved in a physical fight. Outcome data included maternal antenatal hospitalizations, labor and delivery complications, low birth weights, and preterm births. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to measure the associations between physical violence, maternal morbidity, and birth outcomes.

Results: The prevalence …

To Speak The Unspeakable, Jeanne Marecek

Psychology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

The Dna Sequence From A Cloned 15 Kilobase Fragment Of The Chlamydomonas Acidophila Mitochondrial Genome And Rna Transcript Production In Response To Cadmium, Scott A. Hoffman

Theses and Dissertations

Chlamydomonas acidophila is a unicellular green alga of the order Chlamydomonadales. Our research efforts were allied along two lines: (1) Characterization of the C. acidophila mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and (2) Elucidation of any molecular events responsible for C. acidophila's heavy metal tolerance. The mitochondrial genomes of the protists have been underrepresented in the sequence databases. Among the protists, the alga genera Chlamydomonas shows a reduced mtDNA content with a highly rearranged gene structure. It was decided to sequence C. acidophila's mtDNA to further elucidate the evolutionary paths among the Chlamydomonads and add to the protist sequence database. A 15 kb …

Depression, Self-Care, And Coping In Persons With Diabetes, Paula Schuler-Tillmann

Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disorder of the endocrine system that affects virtually every system of the human body. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are over 16 million persons with diabetes in the United States alone. Hyperglycemia, which is sustained over a long period of time, can lead to heart disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and blindness. To avoid hyperglycemia and its associated ramifications, several self-care activities and life-style changes are necessary.

Depression is present in 8-32% of people who have diabetes. Poor glycemic control is often the result when depression and diabetes are concurrently present in …