Digital Commons Network^™

Opening The Door To The Whirlwind” Of British Gothic Literature: Exploring Risk-Taking Practices In The Preservice Classroom, Syndie Allen

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This study explores the connections, reflections, and risk-taking practices of elementary preservice teachers (n=15) enrolled in a Teaching Writing/Language Arts Methods course at a Pacific Northwest University as they engaged in a 4-week thematic unit focused on British Gothic Literature. The big questions asked about the connections and moves made both as student and beginning teacher. The study then looked at how new knowledge was infused into teaching practices. Inductive, phenomenological analysis of reading responses, informal quickwriting, narratives, lesson plans, reflections, and field notes reveal that the preservice teachers participated in the unit with enthusiasm and curiosity as students, arrived …

Preservice Teachers’ Attitudes And Beliefs Towards Different Types Of Bullying And The Likelihood They Will Intervene, Jennifer R. Banas

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

To increase the likelihood a preservice teacher would intervene into a bullying situation, it is necessary to understand their attitudes towards and beliefs about different types of bullying. Results from this study indicate preservice teachers respond to different types of bullying in different ways. They are more likely to rate bullying directed towards one’s sexual orientation as serious and important in which to intervene; however, compared to other types, they are more likely to intervene into physical bullying. The attitudes and beliefs that most greatly predicted the likelihood of intervention included empathy towards the victim, believing it was important to …

The Importance Of Managing Expectations: A Challenge For Teacher Preparation Programs, Jeremy Delamarter

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

Pre-service teachers often enter teacher preparation programs with rigid expectations of what teaching will be like. Unfortunately, these expectations are often misaligned with reality, and pre-service teachers often imagine a world in which the emotional or affective outcomes of their work will take precedence over content-based student learning outcomes. Unfortunately, this inspiration/content dichotomy is often reinforced by popular representations of teachers. If unchecked, these misaligned expectations can lead to practice shock, the disorienting, disillusioning, and sometimes traumatic identity crisis that often accompanies the first year of teaching. The challenge for teacher preparation programs is to create intentional and structured reflective …

Engaging Asset-Based Education: Practicing What We Preach In Multicultural Education Course, James Hollar

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This article centers on one teacher educator’s experiences and observations in teaching a Multicultural Education course to pre-service teachers at a teacher preparation program in the Northwest. The author asserts that, although the course intends to convey the positives of asset-based teaching and the negatives of deficit-based thinking, it is possible both the teacher educator and implicit messages within the course structure itself send the opposite message to pre-service teachers. One example of this contradiction lies in the language of the course description. In centering the course on “the development of cultural competence,” the implied assumption is that pre-service teachers …

The Standards Made Me Do It: Reculturing Teacher Education To Redeem The Curriculum, Kevin M. Talbert, Terah R. Moore

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This article discusses a common lament heard from education students: “But that’s what the standards say we have to do!” This paper will address the need to create teacher education pedagogies that help teachers disentangle standards from curriculum. Our students exemplify a technical mindset, one that supposes teaching is primarily the selection and implementation of best practices, therefore reducing curriculum to a synonym for standards. We believe that education pedagogies rooted in the spirit of the liberal arts are needed, instead of those rooted in professional studies. Teacher education must be reimagined, a movement away from training and toward education …

Effects Of A Workplace Intervention Targeting Psychosocial Risk Factors On Safety And Health Outcomes, Leslie B. Hammer, Donald M. Truxillo, Todd Bodner, Jennifer Rae Rineer, Amy C. Pytlovany, Amy Richman

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The goal of this study was to test the effectiveness of a workplace intervention targeting work-life stress and safety-related psychosocial risk factors on health and safety outcomes. Data were collected over time using a randomized control trial design with 264 construction workers employed in an urban municipal department. The intervention involved family- and safety-supportive supervisor behavior training (computer-based), followed by two weeks of behavior tracking and a four-hour, facilitated team effectiveness session including supervisors and employees. A significant positive intervention effect was found for an objective measure of blood pressure at the 12-month follow-up. However, no significant intervention results were …

Will You Value Me And Do I Value You? The Effect Of Phenotypic Racial Stereotypicality On Organizational Evaluations, Kimberly Barsamian Kahn, Miguel M. Unzueta, Paul G. Davies, Aurelia T. Alston, J. Katherine Lee

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper investigates whether within-group differences in phenotypic racial stereotypicality (i.e., extent to which individuals possess physical features typical of their racial group) of ingroup members serve as social identity contingency cues for Blacks evaluating organizations. It is hypothesized that Blacks draw information about whether their social identity would be valued based on the represented phenotypic racial stereotypicality of Black organization members. Participants viewed organizations that included high phenotypically stereotypic (HPS) Black (e.g., darker skin tones, broader facial features), low phenotypically stereotypic (LPS) Black, or only White employees. Results confirmed that Black, but not White, evaluators reported more diversity, salary, …

Racial Bias In Driver Yielding Behavior At Crosswalks, Tara Goddard, Kimberly Barsamian Kahn, Arlie Adkins

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Psychological and social identity-related factors have been shown to influence drivers’ behaviors toward pedestrians, but no previous studies have examined the potential for drivers’ racial bias to impact yielding behavior with pedestrians. If drivers’ yielding behavior results in differential behavior toward Black and White pedestrians, this may lead to disparate pedestrian crossing experiences based on race and potentially contribute to disproportionate safety outcomes for minorities. We tested the hypothesis that drivers’ yielding behavior is influenced by pedestrians’ race in a controlled field experiment at an unsignalized midblock marked crosswalk in downtown Portland, Oregon. Six trained male research team participants (3 …

Best Practices For Treatment Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Zeke Ogburn

University Honors Theses

PTSD is a recent disorder in the scope of psychology, only formally introduced to the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in the 1970s. Since then, recognition of the disorder and its sources has increased both in psychological awareness and public consciousness. PTSD can come from any severe traumatic event, and can take several forms, as well as imitate other disorders. Although many perceive it as an incurable mental illness, there are numerous evidence-based treatments available. In addition to proven cognitive, psychodynamic, and humanistic therapies, experimental methods are testing new exposure techniques and new ways of reducing patient arousal. …

The Psychological Effects Of Medical Research On Animal Subjects And The Ramifications For The Applicability Of The Research Results, Morgan Damm

University Honors Theses

Historically, animals have been used in medical research to bring about many of the medical breakthroughs and advances seen today. The successful studies are accompanied by numerous, often concealed, failed studies that are inapplicable to human medicine due to stress and distress changing the "normal" physiological parameters of that animal. The psychological stresses observed on the research animals are numerous and include habitat inconsistencies, exposures to abnormal conditions, experimental stresses, and the anticipation of awaiting a procedure. Often published papers disguise these conditions with delicate terminology to eliminate question of error in their data. When an animal is mentally, or …

Body-Worn Cameras: A Step Toward Trust And Legitimacy For Campus Police, Jaycee Elliott

University Honors Theses

Throughout history, police-community relations have often been called into question. In an era of instantaneous communication through social media and other outlets, media coverage of events involving perceived police misconduct can have an instant impact on the public trust of the police and their perceptions of the police as legitimate. Just as evolving technology can have a negative impact on perceptions of the police, officer body-worn cameras present departments with a novel outlet to rebuild and maintain trust and legitimacy within their communities. As campus law enforcement agencies continue to be tasked with the equivalent roles of their municipal counterparts, …

The Potential Of Serious Games As Mental Health Treatment, Sheena M. Miller

University Honors Theses

Abstract

Video games deserve to be readily recognized as a means of assisting people in healthcare settings. This paper proposes a simple taxonomy for serious games that function as mental health treatment: 1) Informative Game Playing; 2) Therapeutic Game Designing; and 3) Therapeutic Game Playing. These three categories are explained and examples of games from each category are included, as well as corresponding research when applicable. The process of elaborating on this taxonomy elucidates the capabilities of serious games and also emphasizes areas for design improvement as well as further clinical research. Several controversies and unresolved issues surrounding video game …

Technicalities: A Memoir, Shelley Smith

University Honors Theses

Using memoir, this piece explores the social location of the author throughout her life. By examining memory, writing in the past tense and providing creative observations and commentary on experience, the author is able to offer perspective on various aspects of privilege, oppression and the intersections therein. The creative style also attempts to validate and legitimize personal experience as research in a deconstructed, approachable manner to increase public interest and awareness of personal social location.

Conceptualization Of The Memorial Tattoo In Scholarly Literature, Nicole Brown

University Honors Theses

The intent of this study is to examine the "self-help tattoo," specifically the sub-genre of the self-help tattoo, known as the memorial tattoo in scholarly literature. Over the past few decades, tattoos became increasingly popular within the United States' middle- and upper-class communities. The widespread use and increasing acceptance of such body art in Western society have invited researchers in many scholarly fields to interpret the memorial tattoo's meaning. This study finds that the memorial tattoo is conceptualized differently across scholarly fields and there isn't an overarching theoretical framework that all scholars follow.

Depression And Suicidal Ideation In Undergraduate College Students: Risk Factors And Barriers To Treatment Present Within Universities, Jessica Brinton Roesch

University Honors Theses

Undergraduate college students are a unique at risk population for development of suicidal ideation and depression. Reviews of 36 different university counseling centers indicated an overall increase in risk factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation among college students, including anxiety, eating disorders, fear, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, hostility, and anger (Potter, Silverman, Connorton, & Posner, 2004). Currently, resources provided by university systems to address the increasing prevalence of suicidal ideation and depression symptoms among undergraduate college student population are limited (Potter et al., 2004). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2009) projections predict depression to be the second most …

Making A Meaningful Contribution To Clinical Research, Eric Eddy

University Honors Theses

Participation in research activities as an undergraduate is a critical part of applying to medical school, or to other similar programs. This research involvement is usually acquired by working in a lab on campus, assisting with either bench or field research. Alternatively involvement in clinical or translational research can be a fitting substitute, but it can be more difficult to be involved on more than a superficial level. It is my assertion that by first assessing ones unique skills, and then seeking an opportunity to apply those skills a more meaningful contribution to the research program can be made.

My …

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Physical Activity According To Social Media: A Content Analysis Of Celebrities' Posts On Twitter And Instagram, Amelia Meisser

University Honors Theses

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of the US population is overweight. Researchers have attributed the increase of people being overweight to a change in diet and a lack of exercise. Because physical activity is attributed to being a large component of maintaining a healthy weight, this paper analyzes how often celebrities’ posts on Twitter and Instagram refer to physical activity. Social media was examined with regard to social cognitive theory which suggests that individuals can learn by observing. A content analysis was conducted of posts about physical activity from the top 30 most …

Analytic Thinking Predicts Vaccine Endorsement: Linking Cognitive Style And Affective Orientation Toward Childhood Vaccination, Daniel A. Anderson

University Honors Theses

Though popular opinion in the US is favorable toward vaccination, a growing hesitancy to vaccinate children threatens rates of uptake and coverage. In response, researchers now study psychological factors thought to influence vaccine-decisions, as having this information might be useful in addressing vaccine hesitancy in the clinic and beyond. The present thesis reviews evidence from this body of work, and shares results of a new study on the influence of analytic and intuitive thinking styles upon endorsement of childhood vaccines. In a national sample (N = 543), analytic thinking predicted endorsement alone and in the presence of covariates in …

Vasectomy Disparities Among Foreign-Born Latinos Living In The United States : A Preliminary Study, Midori Mawi Altamirano

University Honors Theses

The number of vasectomized foreign-born Latinos in the U.S. has increased by 2.2% from 1995-2010 (CDC, 2012). This increase is analyzed using a financial and cultural framework. The study has two objectives: a) examine the accessibility of a vasectomy among foreign-born Latinos, b) explore masculinity traits among foreign-born Latinos that influence their decision to undergo a vasectomy. Based on the literature review, this research study proposes an expansion in vasectomy coverage not only to eliminate health care disparities, but also to decrease expenses in health care costs by providing coverage for a more affordable permanent sterilization method; and the implementation …

Trauma And Mental Health: The Development, Treatment, And Future Of, John Anthony Wheeler

University Honors Theses

Trauma seems to be an integral part of any given society. When most people think of psychological trauma, soldiers who were engaged in battle during wartime are most often what comes to mind. However, most trauma occurs in before an individual reaches adulthood. Research has shown that dysfunction results from exposure to trauma at any given point across the lifespan. Children who suffer from trauma often grow up to be adults with psychological dysfunction, passing on this dysfunction to the next generation. The objective of this paper is to identify some of these other areas of traumatic exposure and understand …

Dispositions And Applications For Classroom Management: Pre-Service Teachers Build A Community Of Learners, Jan Byers-Kirsch, Kimberlee Bartel

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This empirical study discerns whether candidates’ dispositions and applications of classroom management strategies change after completing the university classroom management course and whether their views are aligned with current research on effective techniques. A voluntary, confidential, ongoing survey was offered to candidates completing the course over a period of two years at least one quarter after they completed the course. Beginning with the second year, candidates will given a short survey the first week of the course to more clearly ascertain dispositional changes from the beginning of the course to the end, as well as after they have teaching opportunities …

What Is A “Good Teacher”? Does “Good” Resonate With The Edtpa?, Dia Gary

Northwest Journal of Teacher Education

This study is multi-faceted. The research evolves from the perspective of eight individuals involved in educational settings as either parents or educators. These individuals represent cultural diversity with educational backgrounds from seven different countries. Participants responded to two questions based on what constitutes “good” in “good teacher” and a third question focused on the components of teachercandidate training. Primarily, the study foci are on the identifying characteristics of an effective teacher. Second, it establishes the components necessary in training programs to produce the effective teacher. Third, an analysis is conducted on the components of the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), to …

Crossing The Tracks, Keaton Suskie

University Honors Theses

Substance abuse is a major issue all around the world. It is an issue that not only affects the abuser but also affects individuals and entire communities as well. Substance abuse is often glamorized in media and, though there are some cases where it is not, substance abuse is all too often misrepresented. The issue of adolescent substance abuse is virtually ignored or, at the very least, is underrepresented in media. In a few cases where adolescent substance abuse does play a role in media, it is rarely the central issue. More often than not, the issue of adolescent substance …

Escaping Cascadia, Todd Albertson

University Honors Theses

The preface, "Dualism and Narrative Mode," details the development of realist techniques and then looks to current research to address the question, "In what other ways can realism be maximized within fiction?" It proposes a style combining second-person imperative narration for the viewpoint character’s actions and third-person free indirect discourse for description and internalization.

The introduction, "The Geography of the Future," explores prediction within select literary works, explains mitigation reactions to such predictions, and details current geographical projections to build a picture of what the future will look like and how humans will interact with their environment.

Escaping Cascadia is …

Avoiding Online Predators: Proactive Measures Companies Can Take To Protect Their Female Consumers, Alexandra Meneely

University Honors Theses

This study examines the implications of social discovery applications (apps) for the safety of their users and proposes proactive policies for firms to adopt to ensure greater safety. This report specifically focuses on female victims of technology-facilitated sexual violence and harassment on the basis that the research to date indicates that women and girls are disproportionately the victims of both sexual harassment and violence in offline contexts. Through an analysis of three cases of mobile app abuse, mobile industry security standards, and proactive versus reactive policies, the issues and alternatives are explored. This research draws on journal articles, market research …

Algeria In Perspective: Changing The Understanding Of The Modern Algerian State, Austin Averett

University Honors Theses

Much of the existing literature on the modern state of Algeria reinforces rivalry-based understandings of the politico-linguistic infrastructure that overemphasize the presence of a dichotomy (French v. Arabic) in the linguistic make up of the state. Many studies rely on this construction of an Algerian language dichotomy to predict the future of the state, while; in fact, more attention should be paid to the multilingual, multicultural, and multinational reality of the larger demographic. Algeria’s history of language rationalization has laid the foundation for unique institutional reflections of state power dynamics within a multilingual environment. Discussions of Algeria’s historical background, identity …

Specializing In Normal: An Overview Of Midwifery In The Us, Lucille Tower

University Honors Theses

There was a time when nearly every infant that came into this world was caught by the hands of a midwife. The rise of obstetrics in the 1800s drove midwifery to the margins, and in the US it is only in the last century that midwifery has reemerged as an organized profession, appearing everywhere from home births to hospital labor floors. Faced with a tradeoff between autonomy and credibility, midwifery branched into several pathways, with different educational requirements and scopes of practice. The formation of national organizations like the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) and the American College of …

A Marathon, Not A Sprint: The Benefits Of Taking Time To Recover From Work Demands, Charlotte Fritz, Allison Marie Ellis

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

“Are you binge working?” was the title of a recent NBC News article14 de-scribing recent cases in which people reported working as many as three days straight without any breaks, and in some cases literally dying as a result. Although cases like these are extreme, they point to a growing trend in today’s workplace—one that suggests employees are working longer hours, coping with increasing work demands, and readily adopting technology that tethers them to their work 24/7. Coupled with a working culture that equates face time and being “always on” with high job com-mitment, we’re left—perhaps not surprisingly—with a workforce …

Youth & Young Adult Peer Support: What Research Tells Us About Its Effectiveness In Mental Health Services, Sharice Jackson, Janet S. Walker, Celeste Seibel

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Increasing the availability of peer support for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions has been advocated by service users, researchers, and government commissions. Efforts to provide peer support for young people are becoming more and more common. This FAQ describes the research evidence for peer support, as well as some of the challenges that can be expected when peer support is implemented.

Self-Reported Experiences Of Climate Change In Nigeria: The Role Of Personal And Socio-Environmental, Idowu Ajibade, Frederick Ato Armah, Vincent Kuuire, Isaac Luginaah, Gordon Mcbean

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this study, we examined the individual and socio-environmental factors that mediate differential self-reported experiences of climate change in coastal communities in Lagos, Nigeria. Binary complementary log-log multivariate regression was used to model residents’ experiences of changing rainfall patterns, ocean surges, and flood events. An analysis of both compositional and contextual factors showed that there were urban communities where vulnerability to flooding tends to be clustered, and that this was not fully explained by the characteristics of the people of whom the community was composed. This study, thus, underscores the importance and complex nature of the interaction between personal and …