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Preference Under Concurrent Mixed Fixed-Ratio Fixed-Ratio Schedules Of Reinforcement: Control By Intracomponent Ratio Length, Earl Hall-Johnson

Masters Theses

Previous studies using concurrent variable-interval variable interval schedules have suggested that molar, not molecular variables primarily control choice responding. These studies examined pigeons performance under discrete-trial concurrent mixed fixed-ratio fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement. When each alternative provided two reinforcements per 100 responses, pigeons preferred the alternative containing the shorter initial fixed-ratio. Subsequent studies attempted to shift preference through manipulations of ratio requirement and reinforcement duration in either alternative. Preference was shifted from the mixed fixed-ratio fixed-ratio only when the reinforcement associated with the first component was eliminated. Under all other conditions, pigeons preferred the mixed fixed-ratio fixed-ratio schedules with the …

The Effects Of Photoperiod On The Prolactin Cells Of Notropis Cornutus (Mitchell), Matthew Kevin Hettinger

Masters Theses

Three groups of the common shiner (Notropis cornutus, Mitchell) were adapted to three different photoperiods. These photoperiods were 16L:8D (summer), 12L:12D (controls), and 8L:16D (winter). The prolactin cells were studied histologically and morphologically with respect to staining characteristics, cell and nuclear morphology, nuclear size, and cellular density. The prolactin cells of those fish under the long photoperiod exhibited greater cellular activity than the controls as evidenced by an increase in nuclear size, cellular density, and by becoming more circular. The prolactin cells of those fish under the short photoperiod exhibited the same characteristics as those in the long photoperiod. The …

A Study Of The Validity Of The Global Assessment Scale, Daniel J. Dekker

Dissertations

The study evaluated the concurrent validity of the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), a rating scale which is used to measure overall severity of psychiatric disturbance in program evaluation systems and in research studies. Validity was evaluated by comparing GAS ratings of 60 community mental health outpatients to scores on the MMPI.

The literature review indicated that the GAS has been used in over 90 studies. Thirty-one inter-rater reliability coefficients cited indicated an acceptable median reliability of .80, but studies relevant to the GAS's validity were sparse and marginally supportive. The GAS was utilized primarily to evaluate change due to psychotherapy …

The Perceptual Effect Of Patients' First Name On The Clinical Judgment Of Psychopathology By Psychotherapists, Dennis G. Cowan

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between a patient's first name (desirable versus undesirable) and the clinical judgment of psychopathology by mental health professionals. Specifically, this study examined how a patient's first name affected the diagnosis of maladjustment.

A total of 266 mental health professionals viewed a standardized video taped interview with a patient. Through the analysis of two surveys, the following first names were randomly presented with the viewed patient: Christopher, David, Mortimer and Junior. It was found, at the .00001 level of probability, that when the patient possessed the less desirable first name of …

A Comparison Of Sexual And Non-Sexual Assault Prosecution, Susan Caringella-Macdonald

Dissertations

In 1974 the state of Michigan enacted what has come to be referred to as model rape legislation. A salient objective of the Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) Code in this state was to facilitate the comparable rather than unique handling of sexual assaults in the criminal justice system. The primary purpose of this study was to discern whether or not this objective of equitable case treatment was realized through implementation. The focus of this research was therefore directed towards the discovery of differences in sexual and non-sexual assault case prosecutions. Specific aspects of legal change involving corroboration requirements, consent and …

A Study Of The Environmental Aspects Of Schistosomiasis In Libya, Abubaker I. Swehli

Dissertations

Schistosomiasis is a serious disease in humans. Two species of schistosome, Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium, organisms that cause the disease, parasitize humans in Libya. Schistosomes require aquatic snails in their life cycle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the environmental and the host relationships of the disease in the three regions of Libya where the disease is found. These relationships include:

1) Analyses of the physical-chemical characteristics of the aquatic habitat.

2) Collection of snails to determine: a) the kind of snail species and th e ir abundance; and b) the cercarial infestation rates.

3) Infection rates …

Input Frequency And Perceived Impact Of An Interactive Newsletter In A Small Organization, Patricia Calle

Masters Theses

A newsletter, based on the results of two tailor-made self-report questionnaires, was implemented in a vegetable by-product manufacturing company with 83 employees. Need for improvement was detected in the formal communication of organizational policies, projects, goals and events for downward and upward communication relative to performance feedback, non-monetary performance incentives, and response to job-related and personal requests. The newsletter was aimed at facilitating the supply of verbal incentives, performance feedback, formal and informal organizational information and participation in different areas. Prompting procedures were designed to encourage employees' participation in the newsletter. Newsletter impact was analyzed in terms of pre- and …

The Socio-Cultural Transformation Of Japanese Medical Systems, Takako Matsunaga

Masters Theses

Medical systems, just as other social institutions, are not stable and, thus, are subject to change. This essay is an analysis of the socio-cultural transformation of Japanese medical systems in general, and of the "health care system" of the cosmopolitan medical system in particular. No medical system is able to provide problem free medical care to any given population. Thus, the current health issues and changes in health seeking/enhancing behavior in contemporary Japan is examined as the reflection of the maladaptive nature of cosmopolitan medicine to its environment.

A Report Of An Internship At The Michigan State Department Of Education, Lansing, Michigan, Reiniera Leroux

Masters Theses

The purpose of this report is to describe an internship conducted at the Michigan State Department of Education. The experience focused on gaining an understanding of the State Board of Education and Adult Extended Learning Services, a unit of the State Department of Education. The intern was also given the task of rewriting and updating one of the Department of Education handbooks: "Administrative Guide for Adult High School."

Chapter I is an introduction and background to the State Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and Adult Extended Learning Services. Chapter I also includes the intern's prospectus.

Chapter II …

A Report Of An Internship In The St. Joseph Public Schools, St. Joseph, Michigan, Thomas J. Miller

Masters Theses

This report describes an internship completed in the St. Joseph Public Schools. The internship was devoted to working with the superintendent as he implemented a plan to close schools, reassign students, and find a use for the closed buildings. This report details the planning, process, and leadership styles used to carry out this task.

Chapter I contains a background of the St. Joseph Public Schools.

Chapter II describes the history of past attempts to close schools in the St. Joseph District and an overview of the plan that the superintendent used in the 1982-83 school year.

Chapters III, IV, and …

An Experiential Project Examining The Summer School And Enrichment Elements Of Community Education, Susan V. Slade

Masters Theses

The objective of this experiential project was to examine the role and functions of the community school’s director in the summer school and enrichment elements of the total program.

Major areas that were examined were budgeting procedures, curriculum and programming, staffing and personnel, and facility utilization.

Through the investigation of these areas is was found that budgeting was based on a "break-even" philosophy. It was observed that curriculum and programming were in a constant state of search for improvement and variety based on community need. Further, it was discovered that successful instructors and teachers for these programs are special people. …

An Analysis Of Available Selection Factors For Judging The Educational Merit Of Short Duration, Out-Of-House, Management Training Programs For American Corporations, Douglas R. Loomer

Dissertations

The purpose of this research project was twofold. First, to determine which, if any, information items, normally known about short duration out-of-house management training programs (seminars, workshops, etc.) prior to attendance, are indicative of educational merit. Second, to utilize this knowledge of educational merit indicators to test for a difference between the educational merit of out-of-house management training programs provided by (a) academic and (b) nonacademic instructional sources.

A total of 20 program characteristics were identified as indicators of educational merit by a review of literature and/or survey of corporate training officers. Six of these 20 indicators produced a difference …

A Study Of The Knowledge About Reading Concepts Of Principals Of Schools Holding Membership In The Association Of Christian Schools International, Maxine Edge Margesson

Dissertations

This study focused upon the amount of knowledge that elementary principals in schools holding membership in the Association of Christian Schools International have regarding primary reading instruction. The problem was based on the contention that the elementary principal is responsible for the instructional program in his or her school, and in order to offer quality supervision, he or she must be knowledgeable about curriculum.

Data were obtained from a research questionnaire completed by 220 principals and 1,065 elementary teachers. The questionnaire contained 40 statments relating to primary-grade reading. Seven categories of reading concepts were utilized: (1) word recognition, (2) comprehension, …

Vocal Pitch Range And Habitual Pitch Level: The Study Of Normal College Age Speakers, Patricia Jo Huss

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship between the habitual speaking pitch levels and the total pitch ranges.of 15 male and 15 female normal young adults and to compare these relationships to those which have been reported previously for male and female superior speakers. The difference between normal male and normal female speakers was significant, as was the difference between normal male speakers and superior male speakers. The difference between normal female speakers and superior female speakers was non-significant.

A Report Of An Internship With Senior Services, Incorporated, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Monroe H. Johnson

Masters Theses

This report summarizes a 15-week internship with Senior Services, Incorporated, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, served during the Spring and Summer terms, 1983.

The purpose of the internship was to acquaint the intern with the leadership performance, duties, responsibilities, and actions of the executive director and field supervisor in increasing and maintaining a low income minority senior citizen's nutritional outreach service. The objectives of increasing the number of low income minority senior citizen participants and prepared nutritional sites were the major emphasis of this internship. In addition, the intern was involved with proposal writing and the hiring of two outreach workers.

Distribution Analysis Of The Cultural Materials From The Mushroom Site (20 Ae 88), Allegan County, Michigan, Charles B. Stout

Masters Theses

An analysis of the features, lithics, and spatial distributions of all material culture recovered at the Mushroom site is presented. Based on this analysis and the ceramic analysis done by Mangold (1981:39-67), it is suggested that the major component at the Mushroom site was a warm season encampment, occupied during the late Middle Woodland period. The site appears to have been occupied by a few groups at a time. Comparison between the Mushroom site and the late Middle Woodland component at the Schultz site suggests that fishing may have been an important economic focus at the Mushroom site. Unlike the …

Instructional Leadership: A Comparison Of The Roles Of Principal And Curriculum Director, Bettina K. Brown

Masters Theses

The objective of this report was to relate the experiences and outcomes of a field experience internship in public school administration.

Specifically, the report focused on a comparison and contrast of the roles, responsibilities, and expectation of instructional leadership as reflected in the separate positions of a principal, a curriculum director, and a consolidation of both positions.

Assertiveness Training For Black College Freshmen, Ollie G. Barnes

Masters Theses

This study was designed to train Black college freshman to be effectively assertive in their interactions with the University faculty and staff. Thirty freshman students were randomly assigned to two groups of fifteen each, the control group and the training group. Following the pretest, the training group took part in a 32-hour assertiveness training program. The program consisted of modeling, coaching, behavior rehearsal, peer and trainer feedback, homework, self-recording and instructional training. These techniques were used to train students to effectively use nonverbal skills, assertive content and select appropriate conflict management strategies. The control group received no formal training. Significant …

A Histopathological Assessment Of The Effects Of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes On The Ears Of Chinese Hamsters, Karen Ailsworth

Masters Theses

Research has produced evidence associating progressive, bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss with diabetes mellitus in human and animal subjects. The microangiopathy which is presumably the cause of hearing loss appears similar to the microangiopathy leading to retinal and renal atrophy.

In the present study the temporal bones of six streptozotocininduced diabetic Chinese hamsters and six nondiabetic Chinese hamsters were histologically processed. Sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were assessed for total auditory and vestibular otopathology and revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Sections stained with periodic acid-Schiff's were evaluated for vascular basement membrane changes and revealed no statistically …

Environment Of Deposition Of The A-1 Carbonate, Salina Group, Michigan Basin, Barbara June Leonard

Masters Theses

The lower Salina Group of the Michigan Basin is composed of a cyclic succession of carbonate and evaporite units. The lowermost Salina unit is the A-1 unit which consists of a lower A-1 evaporite and an upper A-1 carbonate. The A-1 unit is underlain by Niagara Group carbonates. The transition from Niagaran carbonates to A-1 evaporite to A-1 carbonate has not been thoroughly understood and previous models have not satisfied some of the evidence. This paper sets forth the hypothesis that the A-1 carbonate was deposited in a non-marine lake environment rather than an isolated marine environment. Findings supporting this …

The Cultural Roots Of Behaviorism, Juan Mario Herakovic

Masters Theses

This thesis traces some of the economic, social, religious and political events that played an important role in the development of behaviorism in the United States. The effects of the Enlightenment, the dislocation of moral and social values, the decline of religion, political upheavals and increased immigration, are seen as destabilizing elements in American society. Emphasis is placed upon the specific values of the American society, and the way in which these values remained constant throughout the social history of the United States. As such, behaviorism represents a scientific approach to the historical continuity of ideas within the nation.

Histopathology In Rat Temporal Bones Resulting From Excess Dietary Fluoride In Conjunction With Suspected Water Born Toxins, Donna Lee Healy

Masters Theses

The occurrence of perinatal deaths, bony extoses, and deafness in dog kennels in certain areas of Michigan led The Upjohn Company and Western Michigan University to suspect fluoride toxicity and/or water born toxins. The present project was designed to examine the ability of excess fluoride ingestion and/or the ability of suspected water born toxins to induce histopathology in Sprague-Dawley rats. An otopathological assessment of the rat temporal bones showed no otopathology nor any changes in cochlear dimensions, however, a quantitative assessment of osteoclastic density showed a large increase in the numbers of osteoclasts of spongy bone in the high fluoride …

Reducing Severe Diurnal Bruxism In A Severely Retarded Person, A. Daniel Gomez Fuentes

Masters Theses

Bruxism, the nonfunctional grinding, clenching or clicking of the teeth, has been viewed as a psychophysiological disorder. The literature on the incidence and effects of bruxism indicates that bruxism may affect a significant portion of both normal and retarded population. In the current study a multiple baseline, combining with an ABA design within sessions was conducted. During the generalization step, an ABAB design was used. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an operant weakening (ice) and operant strengthening (tokens and praises) procedures to reduce the rate and duration of an audible teeth grinding sound in a …

Using Anthropological Approaches In A Human Service Setting, Steven Alan Erickson

Masters Theses

Public criticism of human service organizations has underlined the fact that there are essential differences between organizations which provide services and organizations which produce goods. As service providers, human service organizations represent an organized response to human needs and problems, but this response is affected by different assumptions about people's ability or inability to meet their own needs. The process of providing services entails a number of interactions at various levels between the organization and the community. These relationships are as complex as the people and social systems of which our pluralistic society is comprised, but there are special manifestations …

Melody Plus Rhythm Drill: A Computerized Melodic Dictation Drill Program, Pamela Ann Covert

Masters Theses

The Melody Plus Rhythm Drill is a melodic dictation drill program written for the Apple II microcomputer. It is designed to be used in conjunction with college-level aural comprehension courses. This program is unique in that students must enter both pitch names and rhythm values for all melody notes.

Included in this paper are a discussion on the pedagogical aspects of this type of drill, a user's manual for the program, a breakdown of the actual program into its component subroutines, and a complete listing of the program.

Cationic And Anionic Micellar Catalyzed Hydrolysis Of Hydroxamic Acids, Douglas Eugene Conran

Masters Theses

The hydrolysis of octanohydroxamic and N-methyloctanohydroxamic acids in the presence of cationic and anionic micelles was investigated. Rate constants were determined for the hydrolyses in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (ctab), the cationic surfactant, with 0.1111 N NaOH and in sodium 1-dodecanesulfonate, the anionic surfactant, with 0.09270 N HC1 at 50.01 + 0.11°C. The acid hydrolysis and the base hydrolysis of N-methyloctanobydroxamic acid followed the standard model for micellar catalysis.

Self-Actualization And Well-Being Of Baccalaureate Degree Nurses, Lori L. Butkovich

Masters Theses

A study of self-actualization and well-being was carried out using a sample of 80 baccalaureate degree nurses working in two medium size city hospitals. Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory was used to measure self-actualizing levels. Campbell, Converse and Rodgers' Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to assess global well-being and well-being within different life domains, specifically job satisfaction. The nurses in this study were generally found, using a t-test analysis over all well-being scores but lower job satisfaction scores than the normative populations. A significant positive correlation between self-actualization levels and global well-being scores was not evidences. Further more, a chi-square …

The Need For Compensating Victims Of Violent Crime, Alan Roger Phelps

Masters Theses

This paper identifies how the victim of violent crime in the United States receives little attention from his or her government. A review of the historical developments which highlight how civilized society has taken the right to punish, negotiate, and receive direct compensation away from the methods of compensating crime victims are examined. Finally, this paper demonstrates how, by utilizing victim compensation programs, the criminal justice system will be improved and the amount of crime and number of victimizations in our society will be reduced.

The Effects Of Contingency-Management On Probationary Students' Academic Behavior, Brian Delano Yancey

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of procedures designed to reduce student attrition. The contingency-management approach was presented as an alternative to other approaches which assume student attrition to be a function of personality differences, study-skills deficiencies, and ecological deficits. Forty undergraduate students on academic probation were referred to the Self-Management Course offered by the Psychology Department at western Michigan University. The Self- Management Course was designed to deliver behavioral consequences for study behavior more immediately than is normally the case. Students taking the Self-Management Course completed several worksheets, participated in group discussions, and attended a …

The Geology Of The Southern Bull Mountain Area, Jefferson County, Montana, Michael Edward Streeter

Masters Theses

The Late Cretaceous-Early Tertiary Laramide orogeny was responsible for the northward tilting of the pre-Eocene rocks of the area. The Late Cretaceous deposition of the Elkhorn Mountains Volcanics resulted in the volcanic-Madison Group unconformity. Late Cretaceous faulting took place probably in response to caldera subsidence. Laramide uplift erosion and downstream transport resulted in the deposition of the Conrow Creek conglomerate and debris flows over the Lodgepole Limestone. Block faulting took place in response to regional extension probably during Late Oligocene-Early Miocene time resulting in the formation of the St. Paul's Gulch, Golden Sunlight, and Boulder basin faults. The Oligocene Dunbar …