Digital Commons Network^™

The Influence Of Adoption On Self-Related Social-Emotional Characteristics Of Adopted Children And Adolescents, H. Norman Ames

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Many families in our society have been created through adoption. In 1990, there were approximately 119,000 adoption placements in the United States (Flango & Flango, 1990). Over the past decade, the majority of adoptions were infants placed with White couples who ranged in age from 25 to 34 (Bachrach, Adams, Sambrano, & London, 1990).

Laboratory Growth Systems In Biofilm Research, Julian W. T. Wimpenny

Cells and Materials

The huge variety of ecosystems that we collectively refer to as "biofilm" is reflected by the numerous different systems available to grow them in the laboratory. The relationship between in situ systems, microcosms and laboratory models is defined and discussed. The first two represent holistic approaches designed to assess the structure and function of particular biofilms: the last is analytical and reductionist, aiming to isolate specific functions of biofilms in order to understand properties that can apply to biofilm in general. Properties of a model can be completely understood whilst this is unlikely with natural ecosystems because of the possibility …

Comment On: Sexualselection, Physical Attractiveness, And Facial Neoteny: Cross-Cultural Evidence And Implications, Bydoug Jones, L. E. Musselman, J. H. Langlois, Lori A. Roggman

Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Publications

Jones's paper is an interesting treatise on the importance of physical attractiveness for sexual selection, but several points raised in it are in need of further consideration.

Subdiscipline-Specific Journal Rankings In Economics, Christopher B. Barrett, Aliakbar Olia, Deevon Bailey

Economic Research Institute Study Papers

In light of widespread specialization of research and teaching, it seems appropriate to supplement the existing general rankings of economics journals with subdiscipline-specific rankings. That is the primary objective of this paper. The availability of subdiscipline-specific rankings also permits both (i) alternative journal ranking methods for the general discipline that account for the breadth of a journal's impact across specialized fields, and (ii) estimation of the relative weights implicitly associated with each field in traditional disciplinary journal rankings. The results are robust to the exclusion of self-citations.

Wheat Futures Price Behavior: Empirical Issues For Intramarket Contracts, Dawn D. Thilmany, Jau-Rong Li, Christopher B. Barrett

Economic Research Institute Study Papers

This study analyzes the time-series statistical properties of wheat futures prices to determine whether price behavior differs among intramarket contracts. We argue that the differential role of inventories, information, hedging objectives, and probability of stock-out across seasons provide a theoretical basis and empirical interest for finding such a difference. The behavior of May and September futures prices are indeed found to be significantly different and in ways consistent with theory. Furthermore, an endogenous contract arrival effect is found for both contracts, demonstrating the importance of developing models which incorporate market activity proxies.

Employers And Job Development: The Business Perspective, Michael J. Millington, K. K. Asner, D. C. Linkowski, J. Der-Stepanian

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Social Context Of Ecosystem Management: Unanswered Questions And Unresolved Issues, Mark W. Brunson

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Insights, Fall, 1995, Utah State University

Discovery Magazine

Bi-annual alumni newsletter for the College of Science of Utah State University in Logan.

Sexual Selection, Physical Attractiveness, And Facial Neoteny: Cross-Cultural Evidence And Implications [And Comments And Reply], Doug Jones, C. Loring Brace, William Jankowiak, Kevin N. Laland, Lisa E. Musselman, Judith H. Langlois, Lori A. Roggman, Daniel Pérusse, Barbara Schweder, Donald Symons

Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Publications

Physical attractiveness and its relation to the theory of sexual selection deserve renewed attention from cultural and biological anthropologists. This paper focuses on an anomaly associated with physical attractiveness-in our species, in contrast to many others, males seem to be more concerned than females with the attractiveness of potential sexual partners, perhaps because humans show far more age-related variance in female than in male fecundity. The resulting selection for male attraction to markers of female youth may lead incidentally to attraction to females displaying age-related cues in an exaggerated form. This paper reports cross-cultural evidence that males in five populations …

Golliwogg, Alan Freer

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

When reading a poem, one often wonders what prompts the poet to use a certain word order, to break the line at a specific point, or to even use that particular topic as the subject of the poem. Although there are those literary critics who assert that a poem should be read entirely out of the context, there is much to be gained by looking at the poem with the additional background information about the author, particularly what the primary influences of the author are. Such is the intent with this essay in providing a behind-the-scenes look at what shaped …

Utah State University Commencement, 1995 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

102nd Annual Commencement of Utah State University

The Nighthawk Review, 1995, Usu Eastern English Department

Nighthawk Review

An annual publication featuring student work from Utah State University Eastern Campus.

The Legend Of The Midwife's Blessing, Rosanna West Walker

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This legend was told by my aunt, Jessie Bradshaw. She was a descendant of Scottish people who settled Wellsville in the 1850s. Her mother, Janet Leatham, died giving birth to another child, and Jessie was reared by my maternal great-great grandmother, Jane Alexander Steele Leatham, who was a midwife. The family members were all devout Mormons.

Meta-Analysis Of Home Visiting Research With Low-Income Families: Client, Intervention, And Outcome Characteristics, Christopher H. Morris

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Leaders in the field of home visiting and family support research have indicated that the inclusion of home visiting in comprehensive services for low-income families with young children can play a key role in improving a wide variety of outcomes for at-risk children and their families. These recommendations have been based in part on selected empirical findings from the home visiting literature. However, synthesis of empirical findings has proven difficult, due to the heterogeneity of this population and the diverse applications of home visiting as a service delivery strategy.

The present meta-analysis examined a representative sample of the peer-reviewed literature …

Discussion As Exploration And Its Effects In An Elementary Reading Class, Michael E. Cena

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Discussion as exploration has been proposed as an instructional paradigm for use in high-school literature instruction. Its proponents have explained that using it fosters an aesthetic literary environment. For the purpose of study, the paradigm was modified for use in an elementary fifth-grade reading class. A month-long investigation was conducted to explore the effects of using the paradigm, concerns an elementary teacher had as she implemented it, and its effects on participating students' literary stances. Research methodology included participant-observation, surveys, and a single-subject phase withdrawal component. Results of the study confirmed that (a) students were capable of using discussion as …

Identity Style, Substance Use, And Perceived Family Functioning Among Young Adults: An Exploratory Study, Larry F. Forthun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One hundred eight individuals between the ages of 17 and 25 completed measures assessing identity style, family functioning, and substance use. Fifty-seven respondents were evaluated as they were applying for services at a local substance abuse treatment center. Fifty-one respondents were surveyed from a local university general education class.

The identity style construct is a self-report measure that evaluates the problem-solving and decision -making strategies of respondents. These constructs echo Marcia's identity statuses with the Normative and Diffuse/Avoidant subscales being utilized in this study. Family functioning was also assessed by self-report and evaluated overall family functioning. A factor analysis of …

Who's More Cruel, Johnny Or Jenny? Sex Differences In Adults' Perceptions Of Cruelty To Animals By Children, Teresa Michelle Thompson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

As a symptom of Conduct Disorder, cruelty to animals (DSM IV, 1994) is often assessed via parental checklists (e.g., Child Behavior Checklist). However, little information exists on the criteria that adults use to make judgments of cruelty.

Effects Of Therapist Gender On Client Communications In Marital Therapy, Laurel C. Agee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore how therapist and client gender are associated with communication behaviors of males and females in marital therapy. The majority of research on therapist gender issues has been conducted with individual clients. Few data exist on the effects of therapist gender within marital therapy. This study examined the communication patterns of couples within a marital therapy setting and the influence of therapist gender on those patterns. Forty-six 10-minute videotape segments of marital therapy were coded for communication patterns. Coded verbal statement categories included the verbal behaviors of agreement, supportive, solution of problems, and …

The Perceived Influence Of Mobile Telework On Aspects Of Work Life And Family Life: An Exploratory Study, E. Jeffrey Hill

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Telework is an emerging trend in the workplace today. According to recent estimates, almost nine million Americans work electronically from home and this number is expected to grow 10% to 20% per year for the next decade. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceived influence of mobile telework on aspects of work life and family life.

A group of mobile teleworkers and an equivalent group of nonmobile workers were asked to respond to questions about their work life and family life (N=299). The data were analyzed from four perspectives: (a) comparison of mobile teleworker and nonmobile groups, …

The Relationship Between Postretirement Activity And Life Satisfaction, Dorothy Jane Gould Nelson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the types of activities people engage in after they retire, how often they participate, how or with whom they participate, and how these independent variables influence the dependent variable of life satisfaction. The majority of the research done to date on postretirement activity focuses primarily on recreational activities. This study examined the effects of including some type of substantive or service activity in addition to hobbies and recreational activity. Participants were surveyed concerning their health, mobility, and financial conditions so that these variables could be controlled for in determining …

Academic Goals, Achievement, And Age At First Sexual Intercourse: Reciprocal Influences, Paul L. Schvaneveldt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined the reciprocal relationship between the age of first sexual intercourse and academic goals and achievement. It was hypothesized that lower educational goals and achievement were likely to be associated with an adolescent who initiated sexual intercourse at a younger age than those with higher educational goals and achievement. It was also hypothesized that initiating sexual activity early would be associated with a decrease in subsequent academic achievement and goals. Possible explanations are that the costs of engaging in sexual intercourse (pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases) may deter adolescents from initiating intercourse. Weak attachment to parents and future …

Issues Of Consensus And Concern: Family Relationships Of The Elderly In The United States And Japan, Takashi Yamamoto

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to explore cultural differences between America and Japan concerning four domains: past family relationships, current family relationships, the support network, and well-being.

Concern and consensus in the family are the principal background issues in this study. In America there has been a change from consensus (sharing basic similarity of values or attitudes and interests) to concern (an intense emotional involvement and affectional closeness). In contrasting the American and Japanese societies, consensus and concern constitute different orders from a more traditional context to the current societal context. This cultural difference impacts the relationship between the …

Noticing Pretreatment Change: Effects On Therapeutic Outcome In Family Therapy, Lee N. Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Family therapy, similar to other mental health services, has focused on ways to make therapy brief or short term. One model of family therapy, the brief/solutions therapeutic orientation, claims that certain techniques can reduce the number of sessions. This therapeutic model focuses on the solutions clients bring with them to therapy. By focusing on clients' solutions and not their problems, the brief/solutions orientation claims that clients reach their goals more quickly, finish therapy more quickly, and are more satisfied with the services they receive. However, there is little empirical evidence to support these claims. This research specifically looked at the …

Relatedness And Autonomy Aspects Of Self-Concept In 8- To 12-Year-Old Children, Cherie Martin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to look at age-associated changes in relatedness and autonomy in 8- to 12-year-olds. A psychosocial and attachment theory perspective was taken to help explain the integration of relatedness and autonomy issues. The influence of gender, parent involvement, and selected demographic variables was also considered. The sample included 94 children . This excluded those with single fathers or stepmothers.

Instruments used were (a) the relatedness, autonomy, and parent involvement portions of the Rochester Assessment Package for Schools (Wellborn & Connell, 1987); (b) an age appropriate revision of the Eriksonian Psychosocial Stage Inventory (Jones & Anderson, …

Adolescent Leisure-Time Activity And Problem Behavior: The Integration Of Three Major Explanatory Theories As A New, Gail B. Yost

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescence has in recent decades gained attention as being salient for study of social trends. Increases in youth social problems are seen nationally, statewide, and locally. They include substance abuse, precocious sexual activity, related consequences of pregnancy and STDs, suicide and depression, truancy, running away, crime against property, and violent crime against persons.

This study integrates three major explanatory theories of adolescent behavior into a macro-synthesis. R. Jesser's Problem Behavior Theory emphasizes how problem behaviors do not occur singularly, nor do they justify unique prevention methods. T. Hirschi's Social Control Theory describes how adolescents with little or no attachment to …

The Influence Of Workplace Stressors, Resources And Perceptions On Work-To-Family Spillover: An Application Of The Double Abcx Model, Steven A. Dennis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Changes in the American workforce have raised concern over the interface between family and work. The responsibilities and frustrations of the work domain frequently spill over to the family domain and vice versa. The purpose of this research has been to investigate the influence of workplace stressors, resources, and perceptions on subsequent negative work-to-family spillover. The theoretical direction for the study stems from a modified application of McCubbin and Patterson's double ABCX model, which fits well into the larger spillover perspective.

The data for the study came from 1992 National Study of the Changing Workforce [NSCW). A subsample of respondents …

Maternal Responsivity To A Child With A Disability: A Comparison In Single- And Two-Parent Families, Kristin Bollwinkel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to examine the differences between mothers in single- and two-parent families as they interact with their child with a disability. The sample consisted of 240 children with developmental disabilities and their mothers. Maternal interaction behaviors were measured using the Maternal Behavior Rating Scale. Demographic information, child characteristic measures, and family functioning variables were also considered. Analyses of covariance indicated that there were no differences between interaction behaviors of mothers in single- and two-parent families. However, relationships between income, education, and family cohesion, and the types of interactions displayed between mother and child were found. …

Child Abuse In The Wake Of Natural Disasters, Thom Curtis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Natural and technological disasters impact thousands of families in the United States each year. Catastrophic events leave homelessness, unemployment, injury, and death in their wake. The cost to society is usually measured in homes destroyed, jobs lost, casualties, and expected dollar expense of recovery. There are the social, psychological, and family consequences of catastrophic stressors. Anecdotal reports suggest that among these consequences is an increase in family violence, including child abuse. This dissertation tests the hypotheses that reported and confirmed child abuse increases in the wake of natural disasters.

Child Protective Services (CPS) records of several jurisdictions that have experienced …

"Doctors Should Not Participate In Active Physician Assisted Killing", Todd Jorgenson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

All eyes were on the Oregon ballot this past November 8, as Proposition 16 was introduced to the public. Should the Proposition pass, Oregon would become the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide. At first glance, the Death with Dignity Act appears to offer the terminally ill patient additional freedom in deciding his or her destiny, but it in fact gives a free license for physicians to prescribe death with little if any scrutiny, responsibility, prosecution and even conscience.

A Functionalist Approach To Emotions, Julien Guillaumot

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

There are at least two ways in which emotions can be conceptualized. The first, and most widespread, one is the cognitive approach which implies the presence of internal processes or psychological mechanisms. The cognitive approach says that emotions are the result of evolutionary processes. The second approach is behaviorological. It states that emotions are learned and are nothing more than behaviorological and physiological events. Both approaches, even if different, have an extremely important effect on our world because they may help make societal decisions and therefore manage our environment in a better way. As we will see, though, authorities do …