Digital Commons Network^™

The Implications Of Varying Levels Of Task Automation On Workload, Micheline Y. Eyraud

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of the addition of automation on task workload. Utilizing a modified secondary task paradigm, the workload which was imposed by three different levels of automation, selected from the continuum of automation on each of two primary tasks, was assessed by comparing performance on a secondary task which remained unaided in all conditions. The levels of automation under investigation in the present study were manual, intermediate, and total aiding. The primary tasks selected for investigation were a sensory-decision making task and compensatory tracking task. A long-term memory task was chosen as the secondary task. It …

Brochure: 9th Annual Literary Festival, 1986, Publications Department, Old Dominion University

9th Annual Literary Festival at ODU: October 6-9, 1986

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Mental Resources And Performance Strategies, Douglas L. Miller

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Based on the work of Klapp, Marshburn, and Lester (1983) and more generally on principles of the Multiple Resource Theory, it was proposed that human short-term memory consists of two mental resource channels, one that is tapped by span memory tasks and one tapped by immediate working memory tasks. It was further hypothesized that dual-task performance would be better under conditions where one of the component tasks tapped the proposed span memory channel and one tapped the proposed working memory channel, than when both tasks tapped the same channel. In addition, it was hypothesized that dual-tasks tapping the same memory …

Speech Anxiety As A Self-Handicapping Strategy, Gerald Macon Travis

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study tested the hypothesis that trait speech-anxious females use reports of speech anxiety symptoms and self-statements reflecting speech anxiety as a self-handicapping strategy to preserve their self-esteem when confronted with an evaluative threat situation. Forty-eight college females, classified into high and low speech anxiety groups on the basis of their responses to the Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker (PRCS; Paul, 1966), served as subjects, It was predicted that trait speech-anxious subjects would report more speech anxiety symptoms and self-statements reflecting speech anxiety in an evaluative setting in which speech anxiety could serve as an explanation for …

The Effectiveness Of Three Modes Of Conversation On Coping With Stress In Same Sex Friendship Dyads, Robert Sal Costanza

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

To induce stress, pairs of friends, serving as subjects, were told they would be moving a spider through a maze. In three experimental conditions the friends were allowed to talk with one another prior to interacting with the spider; in the fourth condition the subjects waited alone. The conversations were structured so that the differential effects of problem-solving, emotion-based, or situationally unrelated discussion between friends could be observed on measures of negative mood state and behavioral fear. Subjects in the emotion-based condition generally experienced the greatest amounts of negative mood and fear. Problem-solving and unrelated discussions resulted in lower levels …

Use Of Two Data Collection Strategies To Evaluate Stressors And Coping In Spouses Of Patients Sustaining A Myocardial Infarction, Pamalla Manz Stockho

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study compared stressors and coping mechanisms identified by spouses of myocardial infarction (MI) patients in a close-ended, self-administered questionnaire (SAS) and an open-ended, nurse-administered questionnaire (NAS). Twenty female participants were divided into two groups and completed the NAS, SAS, and demographic information. The purpose of dividing the group was to explore possible experimenter effect. One group was administered the NAS preceding the SAS. The second group completed the SAS preceding the NAS. Qualitative analysis revealed equivalent stressors and coping mechanisms identified by the NAS and SAS. Stressors related to the MI decreased over time for spouses whose husbands made …

A Comparative Analysis Of Head Nurse Role Perceptions In Acute Care Hospitals, Margaret A. Miller

Ellmer School of Nursing Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of 43 head nurse participants from private, voluntary and government hospital settings. Utilizing a tool adapted by the researcher, the Head Nurse Role Questionnaire (HNRQ), the study sought to explore five areas of job context: Job Variability, Job Expertise, Job Definition, Job Capacity and Job Incentives. Differences in perceptions were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics and Analyses of Variance. The three organizational dimensions of this study included: standardization, formalization and organizational culture. Findings revealed significant differences in Job Definition. Descriptive statistical results indicated differences in hospital settings. Qualitative analyses displayed three categories of head nurse attributes …

Multitrait-Multimethod Analysis Of Performance Ratings Using Behaviorally Anchored And Behavioral Checklist Formats, Todd A. Baker

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The construct validity of a behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) and a behavioral checklist was examined for evaluation of performance in leaderless group discussions. The assessors consisted of 12 graduate students in industrial/organizational psychology who were randomly assigned to use the behavioral checklist or the BARS format. Performance ratings were made of 12 ratees in both assigned and nonassigned role leaderless group discussions. The ratings were analyzed with a multitrait-multimethod approach using analysis of variance (Dickinson 1977; 1984) ~ Convergent validity and discriminant validity were found for the assigned discussion, whereas only discriminant validity was found for the nonassigned discussion. …

The Effects Of Presentation Method And Stimulus String Length In A Letter Matching Task, Sharolyn Ann Converse

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study investigates the effects of presentation method. stimulus string length, and pair type on matching task response time and accuracy. It was hypothesized that sequential presentation and small stimulus arrays evoke holistic processing while long simultaneous sets are matched according to serial self-terminating comparison strategies. The current results indicate that serial self-terminating comparison processes were employed across the experimental conditions. A fixed-order serial self-terminating scan was supported for two and four letter stimulus sets. For six letter strings, subjects appeared to adopt random order self-terminating searches if a divergent element was not located among the first few letter …

Cognitive Influences On Flavor Discrimination: Training Novices For Beer Flavor Differentiation, Rosalynn M. Peron

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Four training techniques were employed to investigate the effects of increasing knowledge of beer flavor on novices' ability to differentiate among beers on the basis of taste. These techniques included (a) learning definitions of beer flavor terminology (Verbal Condition); (b) having additional experience with taste sensations (Taste Condition); (c) having a combination of the verbal and taste techniques (Verbal/Taste Condition); and (d) no training (Control Condition). After preliminary testing, 40 subjects (10 per training condition) were selected to participate in pre- and post-training tasks in which they rated similarity between beers, between beers and flavor-descriptive adjectives, and between flavor-descriptive adjectives. …

Attributions For Violence In Relationships: Do Battered Women Blame Themselves?, Debra Down

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The central purpose of this research was to compare attributions of blame for spousal violence made by women who were in violent relationships with those of abused women who had sought shelter and those of women who had never been abused. Both clinicians and researchers (e.g., Frieze, 1979; Walker, 1979) have included victims of marital abuse among victims who self-blame, and have contended that self-blame contributes to remaining in an abusive relationship. Previous work, however, has not considered the repetitive nature of spouse abuse, and has routinely confounded self-causality with self-blame.

Nonabused women and abused women who remained in relationships …

The Development Of A Paper-And-Pencil Measure Of Complex Cognitive-Perceptual Aptitude, Don Michael Mcanulty

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The primary purpose of the present research was a develop a complex aptitude test to assess individual differences in multiple cognitive and perceptual abilities that are required for helicopter pilot training. The paper-and-pencil test was designed to provide measures of both static and dynamic (i.e., learning) ability under different levels of complexity. The secondary research purpose was to develop a battery of eight psychometric tests to assess other abilities that are required for helicopter pilot training. Test prototypes were produced and administered to small samples of subjects. The tests were then revised into an experimental battery that required approximately 7 …

Landmark Selection And Temporal-Spatial Integration: Macrospatial Abilities In Young Adults And Elderly Adults, Deans Haggerty

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Groups of young adults and elderly adults participated in a study examining age-related changes in macrospatial cognitive abilities. Perceptual differentiation/selection abilities were tested using a Landmark Selection task, while temporal-spatial integration abilities were explored through the use of a Scrambled Route task. In the Landmark Selection task, subjects viewed a slide presentation of a walk and then chose the landmarks which best represented the walk. For the Scrambled Route task, after viewing a slide presentation of a scrambled walk, subjects made distance estimations involving pairs of selected landmarks. Also included were self-assessment scales of spatial abilities and two psychometric tests …

Construct Validation Of Role Playing Exercises In An Assessment Center Using Bars And Behavioral Checklist Formats, Wanda J. Campbell

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to establish the construct validity of five dimensions, assessed by two role simulations, using behavioral checklist and BARS formats. Participants were 12 graduate students in psychology, most of whom were enrolled in an industrial/ organizational program. They served as assessors and evaluated the videotaped performance of ten ratees who had previously participated in assessment centers conducted at the university.

Substantial evidence for convergent and an adequate level of discriminant validity were hypothesized. Although it was anticipated that method bias would be low, it was hypothesized that the behavioral checklist would exhibit a higher level …

A Multitrait-Multimethod Investigation Of Two Checklist Formats For Rating The In-Basket, Michael G. Fedorko

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The two most commonly identified methods of rating the In-Basket both involve the use of checklists. These checklists differ primarily in the way that the items on them are organized. In one (the Dimension Oriented Format), the items pertaining to the entire In-Basket are grouped under the dimension they represent (Frederiksen, Jensen, & Beaton, 1972). In the other (the Item Oriented Format), items representing all dimensions are grouped under the exercise in which they .might be expected to occur (Jaffee, 1971). This study investigated the construct validity of In-Basket ratings obtained using these two formats.

The results of an analysis …

An Information Processing Approach To The Study Of Map Interpretation, Susan Vaughan Felton

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Three variables involved in map interpretation (rotation, planar angle, and scale) were examined from an information processing perspective to determine whether they were characterized by serial, parallel, or a combination of serial and parallel processing. Sex differences in these processes were also examined. Participants viewed a series of pairs of slides depicting various combinations of rotations, planar angles, and scales, and were asked to determine whether the pair represented the same array viewed from a different viewpoint. Accuracy and response time were the dependent variables of interest. Results indicated that the number of manipulations that were involved in a problem …

Matoaka, June Nan Cooper

Institute for the Humanities Theses

"Matoaka" is the first draft and partial scoring of an original music/play about the Powhatan Indians of Tidewater, Virginia. This music/play is actually the second in a projected series of three about the Powhatan Indians and the Native American world view. "Matoaka" is staged from a Powhatan perspective on the events surrounding the English settlement of Jamestowne in the year 1607. As much of the Powhatan culture has been destroyed, the Powhatan world view is reconstructed and interpreted from current and historical readings about Native Americans. The introduction includes a discussion of the author's creative process in the writing of …

Factors That Influence Prepared Childbirth Couples' Use Of Epidural Anesthesia For Labor And Delivery, Terri S. Chambers

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence a Prepared Childbirth couple's decision to utilize epidural anesthesia for labor and delivery. Review of the literature indicated a high correlation between epidural use for uncomplicated labors and deliveries and a high incidence of maternal complications and low neonatal neurological and behavioral scores.

A sample of twenty-nine couples was used in this prospective, non-experimental field study for the research. Data were collected utilizing two developed demographic and factual event tools, Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Tool and Spanier's Dyadic Marital Adjustment Tool.

Three hypotheses were developed and data were …

Flotation Vs Chamber Rest A Comparison Of Techniques And Their Differential Effects On Relaxation And Self Disclosure, Francis Tony Hagan

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Developing more or less simultaneously over the last thirty years, water immersion/floatation restricted environmental stimulation techniques (REST) and chamber REST, came to be recognized as two of the most effective methods of minimizing external stimulation to the physical senses. These two environments were compared in a controlled study of 36 male undergraduates, for indications of reduced blood pressure and reductions in self-reported stress. In addition, the participants were assessed for post-treatment differences in self-disclosure, or willingness to share personal information about themselves. Results indicated that for a single one hour session, individuals in the floatation environment achieved significant reductions in …

The Effects Of Environmental Stress On Financial Planning For Retirement, Gerald Lee Gamache

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

During the past several decades vast changes have occurred in the labor market. Unusually high unemployment rates, changes in labor force composition and the migration of workers to new industries, are typical topics of concern. This study deals with the development of a model to explain the consequences of environmental stress and psychological strain on retirement financial planning behaviors, an area of investigation which has received little or no attention in the literature, but in which as much importance portends as the traditional topics of concern. Several measures of environmental stress, psychological strain and measures of coping behaviors are developed …

Job Analysis And Job Evaluation Method Choice: User Qualifications And Implications For Applications And Research, James S. Herndon

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Research interest in the areas of job analysis and job evaluation has been increased recently as a result of attention being given to the comparable worth issue. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of job analysis and job evaluation method choice on the outcome of the salary determination process, and to investigate how user qualifications interact with methods.

Within the context of the JAMES Matrix, two job analysis methods (CIT and FJA) were systematically paired with two job evaluation methods (ranking and point). Three groups of participants, representing distinctly different levels of expertise (method experts, …

Estimating The Utility Of Job Performance The Influence Of The Delphi Technique And Behavioral Examples On Supervisors' Estimates, Scott I. Tannenbaum

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Methods for estimating the standard deviation of performance in dollars (SDy) proposed by Schmidt, Hunter, McKenzie, and Muldrow (1979) (referred to as S & H) and by Burke and Frederick (1984) (referred to as B & F) were compared with a modified procedure which incorporated the Delphi and critical incident methodologies (referred to as Delphi). Sixty-four nursing managers were randomly assigned to one of the three methods. They provided estimates for the jobs of registered nurse and licensed practical nurse. The three methods yielded similar estimates, were equally sensitive to differences between the jobs, and conformed to the assumptions of …

The Effects Of Luteinizing Hormone And Adenosine 3',5'-Cyclic Monophosphate On Phospholipid Metabolism By Luteal Mitochondria, Jim John Sadighian

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Luteinizing hormone (LH) increases intracellular concentrations of adenosine 3', 5 '-cyclic monophosphate and the phosphoinositides, phosphatidylinositol (PI), PI 4'-phosphate (PIP) and PI 4' .5 1 - bispbosphate (PIP₂). It is believed that cAMP and the phosphoinositides act concertedly to regulate mitochondrial conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. This study examined the effects of LH and N⁶ ,O² -dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) on phospholipids metabolism by luteal mitochondria and the influence of dbcAMP and the phosphoinosi tides on mitochondrial steroid production. Mitochondria were isolated from unincubated and incubated luteal tissue by differential centrifugation. Phospholipids were extracted from the mitochondria …

The Troubadour Poets: Their Influence On Their Times, Georgia M. Jarrell

Institute for the Humanities Theses

Troubadour poetry was a phenomenon which occurred in the South of France during the eleventh through the thirteenth centuries. The style was one of political and social invectives and panegyrics, as well as a sophisticated love poetry. The tradition flourished and then died with direct relations to the political and religious events of the era. Through this poetry, the modern reader can not only understand the feelings of the individual poets but also gain insights on the lifestyles of the period and the events which had a bearing on the history of the period. The troubadours were truly mirrors of …

Attitudes Of Special Education Students Towards Vocational Education Classes At Western Branch High School, Chesapeake, Virginia, Cynthia R. B. Sessoms

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine special education students' attitudes towards vocational education classes. The following questions have provided guidance to the investigator in designing this study: 1) Is the decision to enroll in vocational education classes primarily made by the student(s)? 2) Are there external influences that affect special education students decisions to enroll in vocational classes from: a. peer pressures b. parental advice c. school guidance counselor d. special education teacher; 3) Has the student planned to enroll in a vocational education course in the future?

Boxing Time: What Time Is It? It's Time To Quit, William J. Pascarosa

English Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.

The Impact Of An Intrusive Orientation Model On The Retention And Grade Point Average Of Second Semester Freshmen On Academic Probation At An Urban University, Walter Rupert Earl

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

More than one-third of all entering freshmen will not be continuous students into a sophomore year. Academic and orientation interventions usually are based on the assumption that students will self-identify their needs and seek help. The intrusive model is an alternative intervention strategy based on the theory that students will respond to direct contact in which problems in their academic life are identified and assistance offered. To evaluate the effectiveness of the model, seventy-four freshmen who were placed on probation at the end of their first semester participated in an intrusive project involving counseling and evaluation of the causes of …

The Effect Of Mobility On The Academic Performance Of Grade Six Students In An Urban School, Arnold Hugo Lindblad Jr.

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of mobility on the standardized achievement test scores of grade six students in an urban school. The study sought to (1) identify the degree of mobility experienced by grade six students in the Chesapeake Public Schools; (2) identify the degree of mobility within the Chesapeake Public Schools; (3) determine the socio-economic, gender, and ethnic characteristics of the extra-city mobile, intra-city mobile, and non-mobile grade six students; (4) determine if there were differences in the standardized achievement test scores of extra-city mobile, intra-city mobile, and non-mobile grade six students; and (5) …

Attributions Of Martial Conflict Among College Students, Gary Franklin Sigler

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

A study of single college student attitudes toward conflict was conducted to determine the attributions (internal versus external) they make regarding marital conflict scenarios (of mild to moderate to extreme severity). Between group differences of persons from divorced versus non-divorced homes were predicted as I well as sex differences with men making more external and females making more internal attributions. As expected, female actors did score higher than male actors on internal attribution. And females from both groups did rate the scenarios as more serious than males from both groups, as indicated by their higher mean rating of seriousness. However, …

Social Support Networks: The Effects Of Sex And Personality Variables On Utilization Of Resources, S. Dee Treschuk

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of sex and various personality characteristics on the utilization of social support resources for four types of problems (day to day problems, "most serious" problem, emotional and material problems). An interview format was used in order to assess actual events in peoples' lives. Chi-square tests were performed to determine significant differences. Gender differences were found in the use of specific network members for day to day problems. As predicted, females utilized the family more than males; and males named "no one" more than females. For emotional problems, females utilized "love" …