Digital Commons Network^™

Influencing Unrealistic Optimism In Young Women’S Perceived Risk Of Skin Cancer, Karen Elizabeth Vanderzanden

Theses and Dissertations

Past research has shown that individuals have a strong tendency to believe that they are less likely than others to experience negative health outcomes (Weinstein, 1980). This tendency to be “unrealistically optimistic” can contribute to greater engagement in risky health behaviors, and in turn, greater actual risk of the negative health outcome. Within the current study, factors previously shown to influence unrealistically optimistic health perceptions (i.e., images of risky/protective health behavior, peer risk estimates, personal risk/protective factors) were directly manipulated to examine their effects on young women’s perceived risk of developing skin cancer. Participants were 363 Caucasian women between the …

The Relationship Between Interrogative Suggestibility And Decision-Making, Darci Van Dyke

Theses and Dissertations

Interrogative suggestibility is the individual's tendency to yield to misleading questions and negative feedback. Individuals who exhibit this tendency have been found to be more likely to falsely confess to a crime, a decision with often severe negative consequences. Many individual differences in cognition, emotion, and personality have been linked with interrogative suggestibility. These individual differences have also been found to be related to an individual's decision-making ability. However, the relationship between interrogative suggestibility and decision-making has not been investigated. The current project sought to determine how decision-making abilities, cognitive ability, memory, and anxiety predict variability in interrogative suggestibility. Results …

Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Facilitates Epileptiform–Activity In The Entorhinal Cortex Via Crf2 Signaling Mechanisms, Lalitha Kurada

Theses and Dissertations

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is characterized by hyperexcitability of limbic structures. The entorhinal cortex (EC) is involved in the initiation and maintenance of TLE. Layers II and III of the EC in particular are hyperexcitable and are more susceptible to epileptogenesis. TLE is influenced in a complex manner by the stress-released epileptogenic neuropeptide, corticotropin-releasing factor or hormone (CRF/CRH). Nevertheless, the action site and underlying mechanisms of CRF in epilepsy are not fully understood. Here we found that the EC expresses high levels of CRF and CRF2 receptors without the expression of CRF1 receptors. CRF increased the frequency of picrotoxin (PTX)-induced …

Turn That Frown Upside Down: The Experience Of Higher Education Faculty Moving From Disillusionment To Vitality, Robert J. Martin

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the journey of six higher education faculty

members who encountered a state of professional disillusionment in their careers but later

moved to a professional sense of vitality in the professoriate. Building on the extant

literature, this study investigated this phenomenon of moving from professional

disillusionment to vitality in the professoriate through the lenses of life course, agency,

and job satisfaction. These components provided the structure for the study’s conceptual

framework. Employing interpretative phenomenological analysis based on semistructured

interviews, the study traced the journey of these professors to understand how

the key encounters of their lived experiences …

30 Day Lunar/Martian Planetary Habitation Analog: Subjective Crew Analysis Of Behavioral Health, Travis Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Long duration spaceflight poses risks to astronauts from stressors including challenging living environments, rigorous workloads, physical and mental fatigue, interpersonal conflict, mission uncertainty, emergencies, isolation and confinement. Analog space exploration simulations on Earth provide researchers with controlled environments to train and study human spaceflight operations. The findings of this study provided data on self-assessed metrics from an analog crew (N=3) who independently completed subjective reports of sleep quality, stress, anxiety, fatigue, mental exertion, and also provided objectively assessed sleep quality data by biometric watches. The daily mean reports from subjects were compared across time in order to ascertain possible quarterly …

Recall Of Novel Words In Adolescents Following A Brief Mindfulness Exercise, Anna Lauren Schimmelpfennig

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness has been associated with various benefits, including enhanced attention, improved recall, and increased emotional well-being. Previous research has suggested that a brief mindfulness exercise can enhance recall of novel words in female college students. Participants in the current study were 82 students (41 female, M = 14.6, SD = 1.2) from a rural, Midwestern secondary school. Participants were randomly assigned to listen to a 20-minute body scan exercise or a control lecture before learning English-Swahili word pairs. Results revealed no significant effect of group on immediate or delayed recall of word pairs. Additionally, there was no significant effect of …

The Impact Of Victim Age And Religious Affiliation On Perceptions Of Cleric Sex Offenders, Kaylee Ann Stone

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined perceptions of sex offenders using a 2 (victim age: 11-year-old vs. 15-year-old) X 2 (type of sexual offense: rape vs. statutory rape) X 3 (affiliation of the perpetrator: public school teacher vs. Catholic priest teacher vs. Lutheran pastor teacher) factorial design. Participants (N = 286) were asked to read one of 12 vignettes describing charges of improper sexual activity between a male teacher and his male student. Results indicated that participants recommended a shorter sentence and registry level, attributed more blame to the victim and less to the offender, and found the victim more mentally unstable …

Factors Affecting Unsatisfactory Performance During Air-To-Air Refueling In The C-17 Pilot Checkout Course, Richard Smith

Theses and Dissertations

In 2014, the USAF reduced its personnel by approximately 20,000. One of the areas hit hardest by the cuts were the faculty at the USAF C-17 formal training unit, where students are trained to fly the C-17 transport plane. Due to the reduction in forces, faculty staffing dropped by 30% though the number of students remained the same. Air-to-air refueling during the Pilot Checkout Course is the most commonly failed syllabus event. When a student fails to progress on a syllabus event, it requires additional instructor, simulator, and aircraft resources. In an effort to reduce the amount of failures and …

The Effects Of An Active Study Break Intervention In College Students: An Observational Study, Kathryn Joann Southard

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Sedentary lifestyles are a major public health concern. Research has shown that frequent active breaks are beneficial to productivity, mental and physical health, and may prevent obesity.

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of a signage intervention in a university library to promote the use of physically active (AB) compared to inactive (IB) study breaks.

Methods: College students were observed over three weeks: pre-intervention (PRE); signage intervention (SIGN); and post-intervention (POST). Each week of observation consisted of 12 hours, (6, 2-hour segments) on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (36 hours total). SIGN consisted of table tents and signs posted in …

The Impact Of A Brief Mindfulness Exercise On Autobiographical Memory Specificity In Trauma-Exposed College Students, Katie Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

When comparing performance on the Autobiographical Memory Task (AMT) between individuals who have been exposed to traumatic events and those who have not, individuals exposed to traumatic events tend to provide autobiographical memories that are more often characterized as being overgeneral with relatively fewer memories that reference a particular date or time. Studies have found that post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) may be particularly responsible for this effect. Researchers have posited that this effect may be due to cognitive overload from avoiding negative memories, or from shallow retrieval of the memory in order to avoid further emotional discomfort. Mindfulness training, which …

An Analysis Of The Factors Influencing Self-Rated Health In East Asia, William Charles Stangler

Theses and Dissertations

An accurate assessment of a population’s health is a valuable tool for a nation in terms of planning and policy making. In this paper, I use cross-sectional data from the 2010 East Asian Social Survey to create a model for self-rated health. In this paper I pay particular attention to how factors that affect psychological well-being influence one’s self-rated physical health. These factors include measures of religion, trusting other people, and refraining from visiting a doctor. What I find is that among the respondents of the East Asian Social Survey, non-religious people are 11% more likely to have a high …

The Relationships Among Imagery Use, Imagery Ability And Mental Toughness In Adolescent Figure Skaters, Michele Marie Sullivan

Theses and Dissertations

Coaches and athletes have requested strategies that develop and maintain mental toughness because they find it to be an essential part of performance (Clough, Earle, & Sewell, 2002). Yet, little research has been conducted to examine psychological skills that contribute to gain and maintain mental toughness. This study examines imagery and mental toughness in adolescent figure skaters. Imagery use was assessed by the Sport Imagery Questionnaire- Children (Hall, Munroe-Chandler, & Fishburne, 2009) and imagery ability with the Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Children (Martini, Carter, Yoxon, Cumming, & Ste-Marie, submitted December 2014). Mental toughness was assessed using the Mental Toughness Index (Gucciardi, Hanton, …

Performance On The Repeatable Battery For The Assessment Of Neuropsychological Status (Rbans) In A Mild Traumatic Brain Injured Sample, Autumn Rose Arch

Theses and Dissertations

The majority of individuals are believed to recover within several months following a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). However, some individuals may continue to experience persistent symptoms including cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems. This study compared the performance of college students with self-reported MTBI to non-head injured peers on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) index and subtest scores using independent-samples t-tests. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were also used to compare symptoms of depression, anxiety and alcohol use between groups. The results of this …

The Effect Of Skydiver Experience On High-Performance Landing Fatalities, Gregory Bodensteiner

Theses and Dissertations

Skydiving fatalities upon landing, especially during high-performance landings, have

overwhelmed the sport as one of the largest categories of fatalities. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of an experienced skydiver on high-performance landing fatalities since the introduction of high-performance canopies. In addition, the study determined if experts in the field see factors of experience as contributors to fatalities. The United States Parachute Association fatality database published online was used to analyze the effect between skydiver experience and high-performance landing fatalities. Five interviews were conducted with industry experts. No statistically significant result was found relating experience to …

Perceptions Of Computer-Generated Child Pornography, Beth Catherine Kliethermes

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined public perceptions of computer-generated child pornography (CGCP) and its association with pornographic material acceptance, usage, and sexual interests, as well as attitudes regarding children and sexual activities. Moral Foundations Theory was utilized to interpret these findings from a morality perspective. Additionally, the study explored public perceptions regarding the use of computer-generated child pornography in treatment and its effect on risk of contact offending. Participants included a community sample recruited using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Results indicated that participants had significantly lower support for illegality of computer-generated child pornography when compared to child pornography; however, support for illegality …

Hybrid Enhanced Epidermal Spacesuit Design Approaches, Joseph M. Jessup

Theses and Dissertations

A Space suit that does not rely on gas pressurization is a multi-faceted problem

that requires major stability controls to be incorporated during design and construction.The concept of Hybrid Epidermal Enhancement space suit

integrates evolved human anthropomorphic and physiological adaptations into its functionality, using commercially available bio-medical technologies to address shortcomings of conventional gas pressure suits, and the impracticalities of MCP suits. The prototype HEE Space Suit explored

integumentary homeostasis, thermal control and mobility using advanced bio-medical materials technology and construction concepts. The goal was a space suit that functions as an enhanced, multi-functional bio-mimic of the human epidermal layer …

Examining Alcohol Expectancy Differences Between Native American And Caucasian College Students, Elizabeth Luger

Theses and Dissertations

Native American (NA) alcohol use is problematic and concerning. Many of the factors related to general alcohol use are already understood. However, the majority of this research has been conducted using samples primarily consisting of Caucasian (CA) subjects. One factor that is significantly related to and predicts alcohol use among CAs is alcohol expectancy effects, which are beliefs one holds about the expected consequences, positive or negative, of using alcohol. Whether or not these findings are applicable toward understanding alcohol use in NA populations is questionable. Data were collected from 51 NA and 51 CA college students on alcohol use, …

Development And Validation Of The Scale Of Atheist Microaggressions (Sam), Louis Anthony Pagano

Theses and Dissertations

Atheists in the United States are a gradually growing population representing an increasingly important percentage of the population (Pew Research Survey, 2012). The United States, a largely religious country, and its citizens cultivate many negative positions and principles towards Atheists that progress into discriminatory actions of varying degrees. To date there have been limited attempts to assess how Atheists experience and perceive discrimination in a generally religious country that does not trust Atheists or feel that they fit with the paradigms of what it means to be an American. The purpose of this dissertation project was to create an instrument …

Professional Learning Communities: The American Experience And Its Implications For Ghana And Other International School Systems, George Prince Atta

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop better understanding of professional learning communities (PLCs) and how they have evolved over the years as a comprehensive school reform to improve teachers’ knowledge, skills, and instructional practice as well as students’ achievement during accountability periods. It also explored whether learning communities had democratic principles as their foundations. The study revealed how learning communities had evolved historically, conceptually, and theoretically. It also revealed that with commitment on the part of principals and teachers, and principals distributing leadership, PLCs were very effective in enhancing the knowledge and instructional strategies of teachers, and improving …

Developing A Chronic Pain Vocabulary: Communication Preferences Among Individuals With Chronic Pain, Karin L. Becker

Theses and Dissertations

In order to be acknowledged, chronic pain must be voiced yet disclosing of chronic pain is fraught with social and professional repercussions. Moreover, there is a perceived disinterest in hearing about, and a stigma associated with the experience of chronic pain. This research explores the therapeutic value of communicating about pain. Nineteen individuals with chronic pain participated in a six-week online writing workshop to describe the way chronic pain impacts daily activities. These qualitative responses were analyzed using discourse analysis and four interpretive repertoires emerged which convey the multi-faceted impacts of living with chronic pain. These findings informed the creation …

Elementary Teachers' Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors During Math Instruction, Sonja Marie Brandt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe elementary teachers’ nonverbal immediacy behaviors during math instruction. The instructional and non-instructional nonverbal behaviors of six female third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers were studied. Methods used included video recording math lessons, conducting one-on-one interviews, and reviewing relevant literature. Data analyses were completed through documenting major nonverbal behaviors displayed and identifying codes, categories, themes, and assertions (utilizing Excel spreadsheet software).

The conceptual framework underlying this study has its foundation in phenomenology. As a research methodology, phenomenology investigates how an experience is lived by its participants. Immediacy was the construct used to …

An Analysis Of The Title Role In Scapino!, Joe D. Bussey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to serve as documentation of the performance of the title role in Scapino!. It is separated into three parts including a play analysis, a character analysis, and a summation of the rehearsal process. Each section is linked directly to the plays commedia roots, and draws a link between Moliere’s original play Les Fourberies de Scapin, and the work that resulted from the Young Vic’s production Scapino!. The conclusions that are reached serve as an informational tool for the performance of the character of Scapino.

Improving Student Relatedness Through An Online Discussion Intervention: The Application Of Self-Determination Theory In Synchronous Hybrid Programs, Nikolaus Theodor Butz

Theses and Dissertations

Students' feelings of relatedness (i.e., feeling connected to others) are crucial for success in both asynchronous and synchronous learning environments; however, courses taught in these formats often limit relatedness development, either by removing spontaneous interaction (e.g., asynchronous delivery) or by introducing seemingly incompatible online and on-campus factions (e.g., synchronous delivery). As such, it was hypothesized that the strengths of one delivery mode could offset the weaknesses of the other. The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate an online discussion board intervention designed to scaffold relatedness development. Deci and Ryan's (1985) self-determination theory (SDT) was adopted as the …

"A Picture Terrible In Its Significance": Jack Johnson, Interracial Relationships, And Methods Of White Social Control In Early Twentieth-Century America, Aimee M. Duchsherer

Theses and Dissertations

In early twentieth-century America, white society used white female purity, psychological and racial pressures, and intense physical violence as methods by which to control the sexual behavior of black men and white women. An exploration of the case study of African American boxer Jack Johnson reveals the use of these tools in the public response to his relationships with three white women: Belle Schreiber, Etta Duryea, and Lucille Cameron. As Johnson challenged white men in the boxing ring, he further challenged their supposed racial superiority through his blatant, public sexual relationships with and marriages to white women. Using legal documents …

The Effects Of Construal Level Mindset On Juror Decision Making In Hate Crimes, Brittney Lynn Fiala

Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigates whether the level of construal mindset and type of construal task affect juror decision making in hate crimes. The type of construal task (temporal vs. hypothetical), level of construal mindset (abstract vs. concrete), and type of crime (hate crime: racial vs. gay vs. control) were manipulated and measures of attitudes toward hate crime legislation and racial and sexual minorities were assessed. Participants provided sentence recommendations and blame attribution for the perpetrator and victim. Participants first completed a construal task, and then read a crime vignette and rendered sentencing decisions and blame attributions before completing questionnaires assessing …

Removal Of Blocking Artifacts From Jpeg-Compressed Images Using An Adaptive Filtering Algorithm, Riddhiman Goswami

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research was to develop an algorithm that will produce a considerable improvement in the quality of JPEG images, by removing blocking and ringing artifacts, irrespective of the level of compression present in the image. We review multiple published related works, and finally present a computationally efficient algorithm for reducing the blocky and Gibbs oscillation artifacts commonly present in JPEG compressed images. The algorithm alpha-blends a smoothed version of the image with the original image; however, the blending is controlled by a limit factor that considers the amount of compression present and any local edge information derived …

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Graduate Students' Experiences Of Plagiarism By Their Professors, Kimberly Dawn (Hanson) Becker

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study expands the inquiry on perceived academic misconduct by investigating the experiences of graduate students who have reported a professor’s misattribution of their work. The participants include five graduate students who formally reported a violation of academic integrity because they believed a faculty member had misattributed their work. During the incident, the faculty and students both participated in an academic setting in one or more of the following types of relationships: committee chair–advisee, committee member–student, classroom professor–graduate student, and research supervisor–graduate assistant. Two central research questions frame this study: How do graduate students who have reported that their …

An Observational Study Of Parent Practices And Children's Physical Activity, Analee Hokkala

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Childhood obesity affects approximately 17% of U.S. children and teens. Children who are overweight or obese are at risk of developing psychosocial problems and cardiovascular risk factors. It is recommended that children engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity at least 5 days per week, however, children are not meeting these recommendations.

Purpose: To our knowledge, there has not been an observed controlled study examining parent practices and children’s physical activity. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to observe parenting practices and to examine the relationship with children’s physical activity. The secondary purpose of this …

The Differential Relationship Between Work-Family Conflict, Work Characteristics, And Psychological Distress Among Partnered And Single Mothers, Brooke Janae Kranzler

Theses and Dissertations

Women’s increasing participation in the workforce and the growing number of single mothers in the U.S. have prompted work-family scholars to explore the unique struggles these mothers face. Most research indicates that single mothers experience both more work-family conflict, and worse mental health compared to their partnered counterparts. Limited research, however, has considered how work-family conflict and work characteristics differentially relate to the psychological distress of partnered and single mothers. Using the Job Demands-Resources model, this research explored partnered and single mothers’ experiences of work-family conflict, work characteristics, and psychological distress using data from the 2008 National Study of the …

Perspectives On The Qualities, Knowledge, And Skills Of Effective Emotional/Behavioral Disorders Teachers, Joseph Leggio

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the perceptions of six teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) in one school district. In individual interviews, the teachers shared their perceptions of the qualities, knowledge, and skills necessary for EBD teachers to be effective. Five of the teachers gathered for a focus group to discuss the findings from the analysis of the interview data.

An analysis of the data yielded three themes. First, effective EBD teachers develop unconditional teacher-student relationships. No matter how many setbacks a student with EBD may experience, the effective EBD teacher relentlessly affirms his or her belief in the …