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Cognitive Differentiation And Trait Anxiety As A Function Of Conceptual Level, George T. Brennan

Student Work

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest among personality investigators in a cognitive orientation to personality. Several theorists and researchers have begun to relate the study of cognition and "cognitive structures" to personality dynamics (Suedfield, 1971) and to personality development (Bieri, 1966). Suedfield

The Effects Of Participation In Goal Setting And Methods Selection, James G. Jones

Student Work

Eighty undergraduate students who were enrolled in introductory psychology classes were used to determine the effects which participation in decision-making on a goal directed task has on performance and attitudes. The Ss were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, defined by type of participation in decision-making. The Ss were either permitted to select or were assigned performance goals and were either permitted to select or were assigned a sequence in which to perform an arithmetic task.

The results of the study suggest that type of participation in decision-making can under certain circumstances have significant effects on performance attitudes …

Deafness As An Identity In Relation To Future Educational And Occupational Plans Among Deaf High School Students, Robert Greg Emerton

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Septal Lesions On A Free Food Vs. Response Produced Food Task, Teresa L. Cornett

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology in the Graduate School of Morehead State University by Teresa L. Cornett on July 25, 1973.

The Effects Of Developmental Groups On Personality Factors, Larry Sensing

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Because of the attempt by our culture to deal with isolation and alienation in contemporary life, the small group process has become a significant force in many parts of American society. It has been known under many names: encounter group, T-group, sensitivity group and developmental group. Since this phenomenon generally grew outside of the "establishment," those scholars and behavioral scientists who have in the past been charged with the evaluation of such practices only recently have begun to explore its effects. Perhaps because the group process was not first explored intensively in an academic setting, colleges have been among the …

An Examination Of Clinical Psychology Programs In The United States And Peru And Recommendations For Future Development Of Programs In Peru, Oscar Barreda

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Chapter I will be concerned with a definition and classification of psychology as a science, the process to be followed in order to obtain a degree in psychology or a professional title, some characteristics of a psychologist, and finally the place in which psychology as a profession stands from an ethical and legal position.

Chapter II will refer to psychological knowledge, standards and principles which defined psychotherapy practices. It will also be descriptive of some psychological services and delivery systems for such services.

From the great variety of programs and fields of study found in the United States today, according …

Differential Assessment Of Retrograde Amnesia Produced By Hypothermia Following One-Trial Avoidance Conditioning, Duane E. Brookhart

Master's Theses

Two different measures of the retention of avoidance conditioning, frequently used in the investigation of retrograde anmesia (RA), were examined. Rats were given a single training trial on either passive or active avoidance in a conventional black-white discrimination apparatus and step-through latencies were recorded. Task sequence, footshock and hypothermia were experimentally varied across eight groups of subjects. Each S was returned to the experimental apparatus 24 hours after training and given retention tests on both passive and active avoidance tasks. Test trial latencies failed to demonstrate any retention deficits attributable to RA, and both passive and active avoidance test latencies …

The Effects Of Emotionally Important Stimuli On Dissociated Learning In A Discrimination Paradigm, Stanley P. Scoville

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Rats were trained to turn in one direction in a modified T-maze while in one drug state and in the opposite direction while in another drug state. Incorrect turns during training were punished with shock and for three of the transfer groups, shock was contiguously conditioned to a 10 KHz buzzer in the drug state and to a 1 KHz buzzer in the non-drug state. During no-shock testing, the dissociation subjects were tested for state-dependency while the transfer subjects were tested for transfer by reversing the buzzer previously associated with the particular drug state in training. The hypothesis, that the …

Childrearing Correlates Of The Repression-Sensitization Dimension, Nancy W. Perry

Student Work

The repression-sensitization (R-S) dimension (Byrne, 1964) assumes that individuals may be placed along a continuum according to their characteristic responses to threatening stimuli. At the repression pole are individuals whose responses purportedly include repression, suppression, and denial (avoiding behaviors), while at the sensitizing pole are persons whose responses allegedly include intei lectualization, rationalization, and obsessive-compulsive ideation (approach behaviors).

Trait Anxiety, Leadership And Group-Induced Decision Change, Chester D. Gaston

Student Work

The twelve item Choice Dilemmas Questionnaire (CDQ) developed by Kogan and Wallach (1964) has been used extensively for investigating individual and group decision-making processes. Each item presents a hypothetical life situation in which the central character must choose between two courses of action, one of which is more risky than the other but also more rewarding if successful. For each situation the Sis must select the lowest probability of success they would accept before recommending that the potentially more rewarding (and risky) alternative be chosen. After Ss have made their private individual choices, a group is formed and each item …

A Theory Of The Creativity-Intelligence Interaction: An Environmental Suppressor Variable, Lynda L. Mcdonald

Dissertations and Theses

In a commonly held view, creativity and intelligence interact in a mutually enhancing way. Their interaction, however is assumed to be slight and relatively unimportant, and to find its ceiling at a certain IQ level. Beyond this IQ ceiling, no interaction is believed to occur, and the two variables are assumed to be independent. It is suggested that this view and those theorists who hold it do little to explain the reason for the ceiling effect.

An attempt is made to devise a theoretical system which accounts for a explains the ceiling effect, as well as providing new ground for …

Between Words And Actions: The Problem Of Motivation In Symbolic Interactionism, Robert Scott Broadhead

Dissertations and Theses

The development of a theory of motivation in symbolic interactionism is traced, with particular reference to the work of G.H. Mead, Kenneth Burke, C.W. Mills, Nelson Foote, and Ernest Becker. Specific attention is focused on comparing the original theoretical assumptions of particularly Mead and Burke to the varying formulations of the problems of motivation that were later developed by symbolic interactionists. Specifically, it is argued that, primarily due to Burke's analysis, the traditional practice of deterministically explaining human action as being the result of variously imagined motives "in" people is, in fact, no explanation at all but simply a variety …

The Effects Of Monetary Incentives On Group Intelligence Test Performance Of Lower Class Children, Larry Gerbig

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Since the advent of the first intelligence test in 1905, the primary goal of the psychometric field has been to obtain the most reliable and valid evaluation of an individual's level of intellectual functioning. The major difficulty concerning this goal, however, has been how to motivate the individual to work at his optimum level of performance. Terman (1916) attempted to solve this motivation problem through the use of praise. "Exclamations like 'Fine!,' Splendid!,' etc. should be used lavishly. Almost any innocent deception is permissible which keeps the child interested, confident, and at his best level of effort Cio. 120." Terman …

Weight Loss As An Operant Response, John Emerich Orban

Master's Theses

The present study was designed to show that reinforcing a loss of' body weight relative to a previous measurement would affect an increase in the frequency of' trials during which a weight loss was observed. Volunteer females who reported problematic eating leading to overweight served as Ss. Baseline data were collected indicating each S's daily body weight and the median amount of daily body weight change across baseline. Ss were then reinforced for any daily weight loss which exceeded this median value. An extinction period followed during which no reinforcement followed a weight loss. The data failed to indicate either …

Anticholinesterase Action And Electroconvulsive Shock-Induced Disruption Of Taste-Illness Association, Terry J. Debriere

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) interpolated temporally between the pairing of a novel taste and an induced gustatory illness prevents the taste from being associated with the illness (Kral, 1971). Physostigmine has been shown to protect against retrograde amnesic effects of ECS on learning of a passive avoidance task (Davis, Thomas, and Adams, 1971). Physostigmine protection of ECS induced disruption of a conditioned taste aversion was investigated using a 2 (physostigmine vs. saline) x 2 (ECS vs. sham shock) x 2 (conditioned vs. nonconditioned) x 2 (conditioning day vs. test day) factorial design with repeated measures over the last factor. Results indicated …

Rehearsal Of The Incorrect Response In Frequency Discrimination, Russel L. Smith

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The frequency theory of V-D learning states that the difference in frequency of occurrence of the correct and incorrect items serves as a cue to Ss; the Ss make their choice based on the relative frequency of the items. The present study consisted of a transfer task with a 2x3 factoral design; on the first task, one half of the Ss learned a list in which the correct items were changed each trial (CC), while one half learned a standard V-D list. On the second task, one third of the CC group learned a list in which high frequency items …

Habituation Of Mealworm Pupae, Tenebio-Molitor Coleoptera-Tenebrionidae, J. C. Somberg, G. M. Happ, Allen M. Schneider

Psychology Faculty Works

In holometabolous insects, information acquired at the larval stage can persist through the intervening pupal stage and influence adult behavior (Thorpe and Jones 1937, Thorpe 1939, Borell du Vernay 1942, Borsellino et al. 1970, Somberg et al. 1970, Dethier and Goldrich 1971, Alloway 1972). To account for this relatively permanent storage of information, one must assume that those neural elements which hold this information endure through metamorphosis. The question remains: Can new information be acquired and can behavior be modified during the extensive neural reorganization that accompanies metamorphosis (Edwards 1969, Satija and Luthra 1969)? The present study indicates that a …

Developmental And Task Variables In Retention And Transfer From Discovery And Verbal Reception Learning, Evelyn W. Francis

Psychology ETDs

The acquisition, retention and transfer performance of Ss following different methods of instruction were investigated as a function or the chronological age of the learner and task difficulty. The discovery method, in which Ss learned a conceptual rule through examples and feedback, was contrasted with the verbal reception method, in which Ss were provided with a verbal statement of the rule. Forty-eight Ss selected on the basis of age, 5.5 - 7.5, 7.5 - 9.5, and 10.5 - 11.5 years old, were taught a conceptual rule by the verbal reception or discovery method. Ss learned either a conjunctive or a …

Strength Of An Established Taste Aversion As A Function Of A Tap Or Distilled Water Adaptation Period, Frank Etscorn

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Studies in taste aversion learning are typically of the following designs An animal is made to consume a novel tasting substance (the conditioned stimulus) such as saccharin diluted in water. Following a specified length of time, the animal is then subjected to a gastrointestinal insult (the unconditioned stimulus) from such independent sources as X-ray overdose or poison injection. After the subject is allowed to recover from will made the ensuing illness, it can be observed that the animal avoid consuming the flavored substance if it available.

The Effects Of Training Designed To Accelerate Piagetian Conservation In Children On Wisc Subtest Scores, Leland J. Winger Jr.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to test experimentally for generalization effects to certain WISC subtests from training designed to accelerate Piagetian conservation in children.

Forty-five subjects were randomly selected for participation in this study, which involved a pretest-posttest control group design. All subjects were pretested on a Conservation Test and on the Information, Arithmetic, Picture Arrangement, and Object Assembly subtests from the WISC. Subjects found to be conservers on the Conservation pretest were excluded from the study. Subjects from the experimental group found to be non-conservers on the Conservation pretest were taught conservation principles using sever al different tasks …

Increasing Resistance To The Negative Effects Of Set, Paul B. Chance

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Two experimental studies were reported in which attempts were made to increase resistance to the negative effects of set. Set interference was measured by performance on 1) a task in which a set was experimentally induced, 2) a series of problems presumed to involve implicit sets, and 3) a test of creativity presumed to involve implicit sets.

The experimental treatments consisted of tasks which required set-breaking. An important aspect of this research was that no hints or instructions concerning sets were provided.

The findings offer modest support for the view that learning experiences can be designed which will increase resistance …

Eye Contact, Spatial Invasion, And Personal Space, Thomas E. Eby

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Differential Approaches To The Reduction Of Phobic Anxiety Responses, Bruce W. Bundy

Master's Theses

This experiment was designed to answer two questions: (1) Is relaxation training a necessary element in the reduction of phobic anxiety responses? and (2) Does reciprocal inhibition by relaxation constitute the most viable conceptual basis for the successful operation of desensitization therapy, as compared to alternative interpretations investigated? An equal number of freshman and sophomore college students were assigned to one of three experimental groups and a control group (Reciprocal Inhibition, Habituation, Facilitation, and Control). Treatment effects were evaluated with regard to reduction of snake-phobic anxiety by way of two physiological measures (skin conductance and respiration) and a behavioral measure …

Verbal Conflict Resolution As Related To The Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey And The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, Douglass R. Bloomfield

Master's Theses

Eleven Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey Scale scores and the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale scores of 80 Ss were related in four multiple regression equations to average resolution times of Approach-Approach, Avoidance-Avoidance, Double Approach-Avoidance Verbal Conflicts and an average time of all conflict types. The four multiple correlations, however, were not significant. Females displayed significantly shorter times for Double Approach-Avoid­ance resolution than males. No significant sex differences were found for Approach-Approach or Avoidance-Avoidance conflict type resolution.

Low drive Ss as defined by the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale did not significantly differ in times to resolve all conflict types compared to hig.h drive …

The Effect Of Functional Cecotomy On Food And Water Intake In The Rat, Stephen P. Farr

Master's Theses

The effect of functional ceco tomy on ingestion and excretory behavior in the rat was viewed as a short term (ST) and long term (LT) stress adjustment. Findings in bo th ST and LT conditio ns were discussed in terms of the Mayerian parameters of precision, rapidity, sensitivity, and reliability. Under functional cecotomy water intake, fecal moisture content and dry fecal weight increased. Food intake remained constant. Stress adjustment in terms of the 4 parameters of ST and LT regulation were discussed as correlations and their accompanying standard errors over daily, 3-day, and 7-day time intervals. The standard error s …

Data On Behavioral And Developmental Patterns In Monkeys And Humans Found To Be Similar, Michael L. Niehoff

Student Scholarship

This document explores the striking similarities between the behavioral and developmental patterns of infant rhesus monkeys and human infants, specifically focusing on the detrimental effects of social and maternal deprivation. A significant portion of the research presented is derived from the laboratory experiments of Harry Harlow, who utilized surrogate mothers made of wire or cloth to study the origins of affectional patterns. These studies identified three primary primate reflexes—the contact-clasp, righting, and sucking reflexes—that establish the initial tie between mother and infant. The research demonstrates that "contact comfort" provided by a cloth surrogate acts as a psychological base of operations, …

An Experiment Comparing The Relative Effectiveness Of A Linear And A Context Program In Teaching Some Selected Persian Words With Reference To The Persian Alphabet To English Speaking People, Batool Moghadam

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to test the relative effectiveness of a linear and a context program in teaching some selected Persian words to English speaking people.

A survey of the literature did not reveal studies closely related to the present study, but it revealed studies verifying the usefulness of programed instruction in general, and also some limited attempts made to set up programs for teaching Persian to Americans. There has been increasing attention by educators to programed instruction in the last fifteen years. The idea was also supported that there is a need in the United States for …

A Cross-Class Survey Of Synaesthesia In High School Students And Its Biocultural Implications, Ina Jane Wundram

Dissertations and Theses

It has been suggested in the literature that Synaesthesia, as an expression of syncretic thought, would be more common in non-Western than in Western cultures. Given the lack of availability of widely divergent cultural groups and the general lack of knowledge about the phenomenon, it was decided to study the possibility that synaesthesia in our society might be related to socio-economic class. A group of high school students from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds was studied, and the results suggest that the occurrence of synaesthesia is not related to class. In addition, it was found that 50% of the …

Achievement Of Students In Introductory Social Science Courses Offered By The College Of Humanities, Arts, And Social Sciences At Utah State University, James Collins Lewis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The evaluation of student achievement in college has only recently become an important area of research. The main focus of this study was to determine the achievement of students in introductory social science courses offered by the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at Utah State University. Several other variables were considered throughout the study including (1) the achievement of students in introductory courses offered by other colleges than the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, (2) the effects of using standardized and teacher-made tests in measuring achievement, and (3) the achievement gain/loss of students tested two months …

Complexive Ordering Of Reading Experience Through Grapheme-Phoneme Relative Frequency Control, Wesley K. Roberts

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This dissertation develops a word bank based on a series of well defined filters. The basis of this system is grapheme-phoneme relative frequency control. The word bank is designed to be used in developing reading materials at varied degrees of difficulty.

Four short stories were edited as to their grapheme-phoneme relationships. Reading speed and reading comprehension were measured for each student on these stories. All students read a story in the original form and a story in the filtered version.

No difference in reading comprehension were found, but reading speed was significantly higher on three of four stories.