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A Test Of A Sociological Causal Model Of Alcohol And Deviant Drinking Patterns, Ruby E. Ivens

Dissertations

There is no widely accepted comprehensive sociological theory of the etiology of alcohol use or misuse. More generally, there are frames of reference in which are found statements about the nature of the relationship between societies or groups of people and specific drinking behaviors. This study will present a theoretical model which is derived from available descriptive literature and empirical research.

The review of pertinent literature reveals two general social factors that seem to be associated with drinking patterns. First, members of a society are socialized from an early age to drinking norms and behavior. In a simple society socialization …

Accountability And University Teaching: Toward The Systematic Mediation Of Professional Power, Paul Alan Dorsey

Dissertations

Between 1965 and 1980 American higher education has witnessed the emergence of several related developments which challenge traditional conceptions of the autonomy of higher education: affirmative action, the managerial revolution in higher education, the student consumer movement, the strengthening of statewide coordination of higher education, the accelerated movement to collective bargaining, and the increasing involvement of the courts in college and university affairs. This study identifies and articulates the nature and significance of emergent qualitative dimensions of structural change, for which these developments are structural indicators, and argues that they constitute a new, emergent form of occupational control over university …

Creating Deviance: The Collective Stigmatization Of Cigarette Smoking, Ronald Jay Troyer

Dissertations

This study focused on the changing norms regarding cigarette smoking. Banned by a number of states in the early 1930s, the behavior was socially and legally accepted during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s only to once again become the object of public approbation and official sanctions in the 1970s. Examining events in both time periods, this research attempted to determine how and why this behavior came to be defined as deviant.

In explaining the negative public attitudes toward and official restrictions of the habit some commentators had cited the medical evidence that smoking has deleterious health consequences while others had …

Status Inconsistency And Attitudes Toward Collective Bargaining At Western Michigan University, Thomas R. Radecki

Dissertations

Status inconsistency has been extensively investigated as an explanatory variable since the pioneering research of Lenski (1954). A wide range of substantive outcomes have been examined as dependent variables. The findings have been disparate. While a number of studies have found support for the concept, a substantial body of negative results have been reported.

Recently, a controversy has developed in the literature. On one side of the controversy are those who feel the concept has little value as an explanatory variable--adding nothing beyond status alone. Supporters of the concept see it as an important explanatory variable and a determinant of …

The Affects Of Parent Death, Long Term Illness And Divorce On Children Running Away From Home, Robert J. Ackerman

Dissertations

There is considerable variation in the estimation of youth, ages 12-17, who run away from home in America. This study using national self-report data estimates the proportion of youth who run away between the ages of 12-17 and the extent to which the loss of a parent contributes to running away by youth. Different types of parent role loss are examined as well as the effects of which parent is absent on running away.

Information on running away is assessed in a National Center for Health Statistics survey of approximately 6,768 youth ages 12-17. The proportion of youth who reported …

Personal Protective Behaviors And The Threat Of Crime: A Comparative Analysis, Terry L. Baumer

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Black Population Distribution And Racial Change In Major American Cities: A Modified Sector Model Of Black Neighborhood Growth, Timothy J. Kenny

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Reality Therapy As An Administrative Model Upon The Organizational Climate And Educational Outcomes Of Selected Elementary Schools, Clarence U. Dunbebin

Dissertations

Problem. Organizations of nearly every type succeed in fulfilling their mission best when they are productive and effective. Changes in societal outlook have made administrative demands that older leadership theory does not satisfy. It was the purpose of this study to determine the effect the use of Reality Therapy as an administrative model would have upon leader behaviors and organizational climate.

Method. The Solomon Four-Group Design was used. The Profile of a School, Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire-Form XII, and Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills-Form T were used to measure change. Four methods of statistical analysis were used: (1) univariate one-way …

The Michigan School Board Member, Delegate Or Trustee? : His/Her Personal Characteristics And Attitudes Toward Current Educational Concerns, Frederick J. Schmidt

Dissertations

Problem. There were two main purposes associated with this study. The first purpose was to develop a demographic profile giving a number of personal characteristics of the citizens who serve as school board members. There was a two-way cross-analysis made of many of the personal characteristics to determine any significant relationship. The second purpose was to determine how Michigan school board members rank eighteen current educational concerns. A two-way cross-analysis was made between the ranking given by various sub-groups of board members (example: the ranking of the concerns by males and females) to determine if there was a significant relationship …

Selected Characteristics Of Home Schools And Parents Who Operate Them, Gunnar A. Gustavsen

Dissertations

Problem: The home school movement in America presents a rapidly-emerging alternative to conventional educational systems. The purpose of this study was to identify selected characteristics of home schools and the parents who operate them.

Method: The population used in this descriptive research was drawn from the files of the Hewitt Research Foundation, Berrien Springs, Michigan. Potential respondents were parents indicating recent experience or interest in home school operations. The study was designed to develop a profile of home schools and home school operators by identifying central tendencies in the respondent data. A mailed questionnaire asked the parents questions in five …