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The Role Of Vicarious Reinforcement For Modeled Or Alternate Behavior, Brian C. Lech

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Research on vicarious reinforcement has answered many questions but whether vicarious reinforcement increases the likelihood that an observer will imitate a model, a social learning theory would predict, or sets the occasion for the observer to perform an alternate response, as a discriminative stimulus interpretation of vicarious reinforcement suggests, seems to depend on (1) the setting, (2) procedure, and (3) reinforcers used. In an effort to better understand the function of vicarious reinforcement, while controlling for subjects; histories and using tangible reinforcers, 47 preschool children participated in two experiments that (1) provided an experimental history of responding on several levers, …

Demand Characteristics In The Hypnotic Elicitation Of Multiple Ego States, Laura M. Sturgis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hypnotic elicitation of multiple ego states was explored using Hilgard's "hidden observer" paradigm. Twenty subjects in two groups: hypnosis and simulation were utilized to examine the impact of experimental demand characteristics on the production of multiple ego states. Self-report and hypnotist-report measures were obtained in a test-retest design. Multiple t-tests and chi-square analyses were computed with significant differences on key multiple ego state items found between groups. Results demonstrated retest reliability, but not inter-rater reliability of this dissociative phenomena, since hypnotists failed to discriminate real from "faked" hypnotic involvement. Exploration of multiple ego states using non-hypnotic control conditions and multiple …

Contextual Control Of Stimulus Equivalence With Preschool Children, M. Regina Green

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research asked whether a contextual stimulus in a visual conditional discrimination task controlled membership in classes of stimuli related hierarchically. Six experiments with nonreading preschool children posed the following question:

Does a stimulus juxtaposed with a conditional discrimination task control relations among the stimuli involved in the task? In Experiments I and II, printed instance or concept words were juxtaposed with conditional discrimination tasks involving symbols. Results for eight of nine children demonstrated neither conditional nor equivalence relations between words and symbols.

Would conditional discrimination training establish classes of visual stimuli composed of selectively nonequivalent subsets? In Experiment III, …

The Effects Of Recreation Specialization And Motivations On The Environmental Setting Preferences Of Backcountry Hikers, Randy J. Virden

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study explored how recreation specialization and different types of motivations were related to environmental settings preferred by backcountry hikers. A questionnaire was developed that measured the level of hiking specialization, desired psychological outcomes, and preferred environmental setting attributes. Questionnaires were mailed to 619 backcountry hikers from three Intermountain West hiking areas; a response rate of 68 percent was attained.

Results of the study revealed significant associations between the level of hiking specialization and the psychological states desired by backcountry hikers. In general, increased hiking specialization served to increase the importance of specific psychological outcomes such as autonomy, exercise, achievement …

Factor Analysis Of A Self-Report Problem Inventory For Use In Clinical Settings, William F. Corey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A factor analysis was performed using 609 subjects, each of whom completed the 265 Hem self-report problem inventory. Factor analysis was used in this context as the logical first step in the development of the problem inventory. For the purpose of analysis, 240 of the Hems were used. Results suggest that there may be utility in further research involving the problem inventory. A literature review of current diagnostic issues, se 1 f-report inventory issues, diagnostic interviewing issues, and finally, self-report inventory development is included.

Factors Influencing Grief Adjustment In The Elderly, Jo Anne Pauline Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to attempt to identify variables which may enhance the ability of older widowed persons to adjust to viii bereavement. Depression and perceptions of physical health were the two aspects of adjustment selected for study. Several variables which current literature suggests may mediate grief adjustment were examined for their potential relationship to bereavement outcome. These were gender, level of grief, anticipatory grief and social network. The possible relationship between depression and perceptions of physical health was also examined for.

Subjects were 75 men and women, age 55 and over, who were recently widowed, and 29 …

The Effects Of A Social Skills Training Program On Interpersonal Communications In Parent Adolescent Dyads, Patrick Sean Noble

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this thesis was two fold. First, there was an experiment in which the independent variable was the behavioral skill levels of parents and their adolescents on a social skills training program and the dependent variable was the parent and adolescent perceptions of their interpersonal relationship regarding communication and problem solving. Second, there was an experiment comparing instructional styles wherein the independent variable was the length of time used to present the social skills training program and the dependent variable was the resulting scores on the behavioral measures of the program. A modified pretest -post-test control group design …

Pantothenic Acid Status Of Adolescents, Brenda Ringer Eissenstat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Information on human needs for pantothenic acid is limited and no recommended daily allowance has been established; although a safe and adequate level of 4-7 mg/day has been suggested for adults and adolescents. The adolescent population is often at risk for nutritional problems because of unusual eating patterns and major physiological changes which occur at this time. Pantothenic acid levels in urine, whole-blood and erythrocytes were determined in a healthy adolescent population using radioimmunoassay techniques. Dietary intakes were calculated from 4 day diet records and evaluated using a computer data base developed at Utah State University in conjunction with USDA. …

A Comparison Of The Verbal Productions Of Normal And Behaviorally Disordered Children Using Interview And Color Book Techniques, Alan L. Muhlestein

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to test the usefulness of The Color Book in facilitating interactions between an interviewer and a child. Interviews employing The Color Book were compared with interviews in which no art materials were used. More specifically the question of whether the length of utterances, number of emotional words used and statements about self by the subjects differed between groups using the Color Book and interviews without art materials.

Subjects were forty grade school age children attending public schools. Twenty had previously been classified as behaviorally disordered and the other twenty had no such classification. Half …

Perceptions Of Menstruation As An Indicator Of Stereotypic Beliefs Within Marriage, Debra L. Caswell-Madsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research examined husband and wife attitudes toward menstruation and how these attitudes related to certain behaviors within marriage. The sample consisted of 48 Married couples, some living in Davis, California and some living in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Specifically, four objectives were pursued:

1. Assess husbands' and wives' perceptions of how behaviors within marriage vary over the wives' menstrual cycles.
2. Assess husbands' and wives' attitudes toward menstruation.
3. Examine how husband's and wives' attitudes toward menstruation might be associated with perceptions of how behaviors within marriage vary over the wives' menstrual cycles.
4. Examine how wives' perceptions of differences in behavior over …

A Profile Of The Victim Of Father-Daughter Incest: Testing Hypotheses From The Literature, Lawrence Manley Wilcox

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to develop a profile of the victim of father-daughter incest. One descriptive profile was constructed from the literature, using a content analysis, and one profile was developed utilizing 25 subjects' responses to a questionnaire and a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. These two profiles were compared. The items on the profiles with the greatest amount of predictive value were identified. A high point profile of the 4-8/8-4 scales on the MMPI was also identified in both the subjects' responses and in the literature. The final profile is designed for use by clinicians who work with …

Transfer To And Operation Of The Cache Citizen By The Utah State University Department Of Communication, William P. Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

On January 21, 1985, the USU Department of Communication assumed the responsibility of providing editorial content for The Cache Citizen, a weekly newspaper published in Preston, Idaho. The department plans to continue operation of the paper, to provide professional experience for undergraduate and graduate students.

The thesis has a twofold purpose. First, it is an historical document, designed to preserve the details of the transfer and first year of operation by the department, for use by future journalism scholars and historians. Second, it analyzes the transfer, identifies problems encountered and steps taken to correct them, and makes recommendations for …

Parent And Adolescent Education In Relation To Adolescent Sexual Attitudes And Behavior, Karen R. Sneesby

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between several educational variables and adolescents' sexual attitudes and behavior. The sample consisted of high school students who were enrolled in health, family living, and home economics classes in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Pretest and posttest surveys were given to these students to evaluate the effectiveness of a prevention program which addressed teen attitudes and behaviors in the areas of peers, families, and morality. The pretest and posttest surveys contained items that specifically measured family background, school achievement, and sexual attitudes and behaviors. Data collected for these …

A Neuropsychological Approach For Differentiating The Residual Effects Of Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Glenn Thomas Goodwin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It is well documented in the literature that low-birth-weight (LBW) and prematurity are associated with a variety of developmental disabilities. Within this population of LBW children it is estimated that at birth, up to 45% of them experience intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Only recently has pediatric research begun to look at the potentially unique effects of IVH, and attempt to separate these out form the effects of LBW in general. The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuropsychological differences that may occur in children with a history of mild or sever IVH, who are now approaching school age. The …

Teaching Minimum Based Competency Test Skills To Secondary-Aged Learning Disabled Students Through The Use Of Precision Teaching, Michael E. Byrnes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This project investigated whether a precision teaching method used with learning disabled high school students (grades 9-12) could give them the skills needed to pass a minimum based competency test in the area of local, state and national government. The specific objective of this project was to determine if the use of precision teaching enabled the students to retain the facts needed to pass a competency test required for graduation. A multiple-baseline design across behaviors was used to show the effect of precision teaching in mastering the needed facts. The data from each baseline improved and surpassed the set criteria …

Client Writing In Individual Therapy: A Review Of The Literature, Karla Esplin Bennion

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Client writing has been used in association with individual therapy for many years, but published research on its effectiveness is sparse. Such research could provide a potential tool for therapists, as well as expand scientific knowledge. This review includes all available reports on the topic of client writing in individual therapy. The studies fall into three general categories: the systematic, "experimental" studies; the anecdotal reports; and the didactic reports. All studies considered show some benefit from the use of client writing in therapy. Writing appears to be beneficial whether initiated by the client or directed by the therapist; beneficial to …

The Psychological And Social Consequences Of Htlv-Iii Infection: Homosexuals In Orange County, Ca, Kenneth Burton Kaisch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify the psychological and social consequences experienced by homosexual men who learn that they have positive results on the HTLV-III antibody test, but who have not yet developed AIDS or ARC. Employing a census survey of the membership of three California homophile organizations (n=1905), 30 HTLV-III positives and 55 negatives completed a biographical questionnaire, the IPAT Anxiety Scale Questionnaire, the IPAT Depression Scale, and the Coping Strategies Inventory. Results indicate that HTLV-III positives show considerable disorganization after hearing test results, have clinically high levels of anxiety (n=10), and clinically high levels of depression …

The Effects Of A Structured Intervention Program On Identity And Divorce Adjustment, Rodger Trent Wentz

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to determine if a structured intervention program could assist individuals in adjusting to some of the disruption associated with divorce. A secondary purpose was to determine if identity status would mediate the effects of the intervention program upon divorce adjustment. The components of the intervention program were modeled on previous research. It was hypothesized that individuals participating in a structured treatment program would manifest greater gains in areas of divorce adjustment than the control group. However, results show that while there was greater gain for the experimental group than the control group in several …

The Mmpi As A Predictor Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Vietnam Veterans, Susan Rogers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) could be used to discriminate between Vietnam veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and those with other mental disorders. Scores on the 13 validity and clinical scales of the MMPI were used as predictor variables in two discriminant analyses. The first of these was performed in replication of studies in which cases of substance-abuse disorder were eliminated from the non-PTSD comparison group. Substance- abuse cases were included in the second discrimination. The results indicated that while the MMPI can be used to discriminate PTSD from non-PTSD …

A Market Analysis For Adult Outdoor Education In Five Western States, Karla Joy Vanderzanden

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Organizations that offer Outdoor Education programs for adults are concerned with how to best attract people to their programs. Effective program design begins with a clear understanding of the people to be served. A marketing orientation--meeting the needs of participants--has begun to pervade non-profit management; specific information on the adult market for Outdoor Education remains limited. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize segments based upon the benefits people seek from such an experience. Secondly, this analysis describes current programs 1n a five state region and identifies discrepancies between available and needed services.

A mail survey of …

The Relationship Between Therapist Approach Postures, Avoidance Postures And Posture Sharing, And Subjects' Experience Of Rapport, Lawrence A. Carcelli

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The relationship between approach, avoidance and congruent postures and the experience of rapport was investigated. Sixty undergraduate college students (30 male, 30 female) were interviewed by a therapist who displayed either approach postures, avoidance postures or who posture shared. The degree of rapport experienced by the 20 subjects in the three groups was compared. In addition, the subjects' behaviors were divided into four groups (n = 11, or 19) along two orthogonal dimensions (high and low congruency and immediacy) and the degree of rapport experienced by the four groups compared. No statistically significant results were found in either analysis. An …

Color Vision In The Bovine, B. John Gilbert

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Eight heifers were trained using operant conditioning to press a plate to receive a feed reward. Different wavelengths of light were presented as correct and incorrect stimuli. Positive and negative responses to the stimuli were registered electronically. Daily sessions of 17 minutes were conducted in a chamber with external light being excluded.

The duration of the stimulus was fixed at 17 seconds after which stimuli were randomly presented. Only presses on the plate when the correct stimulus was presented were reinforced with feed. A 75% correct choice was the criterion used as acceptable discrimination.

Ratios of correct to incorrect responses …

Client Preferences For Counselor Characteristics: Attitudes Towards Handicapped, Benjamin D. Ewing

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this research was to constructively replicate the research of Brabham and Thoreson (1973) and Mitchell and Frederickson (1975) that led to the conclusion that handicapped counselors are preferred.

Subjects were 337 male and female volunteers enrolled in psychology 101 which was taught during the Fall Quarter, 1984, at Utah State University. All subjects were asked to indicate their preference when considering 20 hypothetical problem situations for one counselor from among six photographs of handicapped and non-handicapped counselors. The 20 situations consisted of three types (personal, vocational, and educational). Each subject's score was the total number of times …

A Study Of The Effect Of A Child's Physical Attractiveness Upon Verbal Scoring Of The Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children (Revised) And Upon Personality Attributions, Paula Theisler Wheeler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to investigate possible examiner bias in scoring the Verbal subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) due to the level of facial attractiveness of the child. Sex of the child and sex of the research subject were also included as independent variables. No main effect for attractiveness or sex x attractiveness interactions were found. Thus, little evidence emerged to suggest attractiveness stereotyping effects in an intelligence testing context. However, female children received significantly higher Comprehension and total Verbal scores than did male children. In addition, while male subjects did not provide differential …

A Comparison Between Desensitization And Relaxation Training In The Treatment Of Primary Dysmenorrhea, Susan Myrna Jones Carcelli

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of relaxation, desensitization, and relaxation plus desensitization in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea was investigated in this study. Subjects were 45 university women who experienced either congestive or spasmodic dysmenorrhea. Each subject was individually treated in four, one-hour sessions during the first 20 days of her menstrual cycle. Subjects were divided into three groups: Group 1 obtained four hours of progressive relaxation training, group 2 was asked to self-relax while being administered scenes from a standardized menstrual hierarchy, and group 3 obtained both relaxation training and desensitization. Type of dysmenorrhea was assessed by the Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire (MSQ). …

The Relationship Of Type A And Type B Coronary Behavior Patterns And Achievement Striving, Jolene Lowry Adams

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic replication of the experiment of Burnam, Pennebaker, and Glass (1973) using an adult population and the Jenkins Activity Survey. Additionally, this study attempted to address the issue of whether the previous results would be substantiated when a non-college sample was used.

The subjects consisted of40 females and 40 males who volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were given the Jenkins Activity Survey and randomly assigned to Condition I, the No Deadline condition, or Condition II, the Deadline condition. The subjects in the No Deadline condition were given arithmetic …

Donating Behavior In Children: The Effects Of The Model's Similarity To The Observer, The Observer's Familiarity With The Model And Parental Models, Charles Ray Owens

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Model similarity and familiarity were investigated for adult and similar aged models demonstrating prosocial behavior. Third, fourth and fifth graders (75 male and 75 female) participated.

Subjects were given questionnaires regarding their most and least preferred peers and their most preferred parent. The models were described as similar to the subject for some groups. Subjects were given instructions concerning a sorting task and cash certificates they would earn.

Fifty control subjects viewed a video that contained neither prosocial nor antisocial behavior. For the remaining subjects, a 2 (sex of subject) X 2 (similar age model versus adult model) X 5 …

Decisions Of Pregnant Adolescents As They Affect Later Well-Being, Myra Lynch

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of family life presently experienced by women who were premaritally pregnant as teenagers. Self-esteem and general life satisfaction were measured in order to evaluate the results of pregnancy decisions made five to 10 years earlier. A survey design was used to (1) obtain demographic data, (2) analyze the relationships between these women and their parents, (3) determine the level and type of education completed by the women, (4) compare mothers who married before the birth of the child, single mothers, and mothers releasing their children for adoption on many variables …

Self Esteem And Adolescent Sexual Attitudes And Behavior, Roger B. Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was designed to determine; (1) if adolescent self esteem is related to premarital sexual attitudes and intercourse behavior; (2) if religious affiliation and church attendance affect the relationship between adolescent self esteem and premarital sexual attitudes and behavior. Approximately 2400 adolescents residing in California, New Mexico, and Utah comprised the sample.

Adolescents who attended church services more often reported less sexually permissive attitudes and behavior than those who attended church less often. Similarly, Mormons' premarital sexual attitudes and behavior was more conservative than was the case for non-Mormon adolescents. Findings indicated that the nature of the relationship between …

Resource Management Problems Of Usu Foreign Students, Gong Soog Hong

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine the resource management problems of a group of foreign students. The sample surveyed was 300 foreign students who attended Utah State University during fall quarter of 1984. A questionnaire was used to examine the students' degree of difficulty with resource management.

The differences in the degree of difficulty with resource management and respondents' gender, academic level, marital status, length of stay in the U.S. and geographic origin were tested by Analysis of Variance.

Significant differences were found in the degree of difficulty with resource management and the length of stay in the …