Digital Commons Network^™

Structural And Organizational Forces In The Etiology Of Corporate Crime, Beti Thompson

Dissertations

In an effort to gain understanding of the etiology of corporate crime, a theoretical framework for examining the problem has been developed. This framework includes structural features such as a capitalistic organization of society, the importance of political economy, the importance of market structure, and the importance of corporate influence over the legal environment, in understanding corporate crime. Corporations within this society are affected by the structural features of society. Organizations are organized according to capitalistic principles and effectively force their employees into certain kinds of actions and activities. It was theorized that such organizational factors might have an influence …

Self Care As An Innovation In Health Care Delivery: The Health Systems Agency As Medium And Barrier, Yvonne Marie Vissing

Dissertations

This is an inquiry into the attitudes of Health Systems Agency Boards of Directors toward the use of self care as part of the health and delivery system. Self care is viewed as a current social movement in health care. Contributions and limitations of both classical social movement theory and resource mobilization theory were examined for their utility in understanding and making predictions about the self care movement. Self care attitudes of the boards of directors from all eight Michigan Health Systems Agencies (HSAs) were analyzed through the Self Care Attitude Index (SCAI). Data were gathered via self-administered, mail questionnaires. …

A Study Of Job Satisfaction Of The Elementary School Secretary, John Raymond Chirco

Dissertations

The importance of the role of the elementary school secretary was established along with the findings that job satisfaction may be related to job performance. It was also pointed out that the relationship between job satisfaction and the independent variables that may be related to or influence it have not been identified. This led to the problem of how job satisfaction may be improved and therefore possibly increase performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify those independent variables that may be related to job satisfaction.

Literature regarding job satisfaction varied greatly and was very scarce in terms …

The Development Of Instructional Materials To Facilitate The Interaction Of Handicapped And Nonhandicapped Third Grade Students In Selected Parochial Schools, James Nicholas Gonwa

Dissertations

This study focused on the development and use of instructional materials for teaching handicap awareness to elementary third grade children. The purposes of the study were (1) to determine if there is a need for instructional materials to teach handicap awareness, (2) to determine how teachers and experts would use instructional materials, (3) to determine the opinions of teachers and experts about the Handicap Awareness Series developed in this study and (4) to determine the opinions of children about the Handicap Awareness Series. The materials developed in this study were evaluated as an instructional method which could be used to …

Attitudes Of Administrators, School Board Members, And Teachers Relating To Labor Peace, Larry Eldon Engel

Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to provide evidence for the proposition that when positive attitudes exist between the parties of the collective bargaining process labor peace exists.

Data were generated using the Walton and McKersie Attitude Structuring Model. The instrument used was a questionnaire prepared by Crandall (1976). Two-way ANOVA techniques were employed. Districts were designated by type of labor peace using criteria adopted from the Golden Studies of 1955. The sample population consisted of 30 school districts with 153 administrators, teachers, and board members responding to the instrument.

It was found that there were no interaction effects for …

Development And Validation Of A Model For Retaining Pregnant Adolescents And School-Age Parents In The Jamaican School System, D. Deloris Brissett

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to develop and validate a model to retain adolescent child-bearers in the Jamaican school system. More specifically, the study was concerned with retaining pregnant students and adolescent parents in Jamaican secondary schools.

The analytical bases of the model were: (1) A review of the literature in adolescent child-bearing in Jamaica and the United States. (2) A survey of programmes which currently deliver comprehensive services to pregnant students and adolescent parents in Michigan. Five programmes were surveyed. (3) Validation by a panel of Jamaican professionals.

The review of the relevant literature and the programme survey …

An Empirical Study Of The Equipercentile Assumption As A No-Treatment Expectation In Title I Evaluations, Alan C. Nowakowski

Dissertations

The focus of this study was the tenability of the underlying assumption of Model A, the norm-referenced model, of the Title I Evaluation and Reporting System (TIERS). Model A estimates the no-treatment expectation from normative data. The assumption made by the Model is that, in the absence of special treatment, student groups maintain a constant percentile position in relation to national norms.

The study examined the extent to which student groups maintain a constant percentile position over a six month period. The study used a sizable representative student subsample of the standardization group for the 1978 Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT). …

The Interpersonal Dimensions Of Depression As Differentiated By Cognitive Style, Frederick Tobias Sulier

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between field dependence-independence cognitive style and the interpersonal behavior of depressives. The interpersonal behavior of depressives ranges from passive and withdrawn to hostile and aggressive. This wide variety of depressed interpersonal behavior has not been satisfactorily explained by research or clinical observation.

Reseach results have indicated that field dependent (FD) and field independent (FI) people differ in their interpersonal behavior. Nondepressed FD people are often oriented towards people, whereas nondepressed FI people are usually oriented away from other people. It was hypothesized that these interpersonal orientations would also apply to …

An Analysis Of Perceptions Of Michigan Superintendents, Principals, And Teachers In Regard To Present Versus Preferred Teacher Evaluation Systems, Joann A. Noonan

Dissertations

The objectives of this study were to examine the present process of performance appraisal used in Michigan as well as to determine if the participants in that process see any need for change. If change was desired this study sought to determine what direction that change should take. A review of the literature established a background which implied a general pervasive dissatisfaction with the present process and a need for change as well as several directions that change might take. The review of the literature also established a possible link between personnel development within the school setting and that of …

A Nonvocal Method For Teaching Reading And Spelling To The Deaf, Amy A. Barmeier

Dissertations

Teaching reading and spelling to the deaf requires materials and methods which compensate for the two problems of the deaf child. The first is that the deaf typically have a small verbal history in either the sign language or lipreading modes. The second is that the deaf cannot identify unknown written words by phonetically sounding them out. In comparison, the hearing child has sophisticated sounding out skills and an extensive auditory-vocal history.

The seven experiments in this research investigated a method for teaching vocabulary comprehension and spelling to the deaf which assumed neither a verbal history with respect to the …

The Effects Of Self-Management Training On Fluid Compliance In Hemodialysis Patients, Glen Roland Peterson

Dissertations

Seventeen adult, chronic hemodialysis out-patients were assessed on measures of: Compliance, beliefs about their health, and depression. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale was used to assess Internal Locus of Control (LOC), Chance LOC, or Powerful Other LOC. An assessment instrument was developed by the author using the Health Belief Model, and was administered to all subjects. This was designed to give a numerical value to patients' beliefs about the severity of their illness, beliefs about their susceptibility to the consequences of noncompliance, beliefs about the benefits of compliance, beliefs about the barriers that might stand in the way …

Psychophysics Of Reinforcement Delay, Larry A. Morse

Dissertations

Various models have been used to describe the nature of the relation between reinforcement delay and relative response rate. Delay has been incorporated as one aspect of reinforcement within the matching law which states that the relative response rates in concurrent schedules will equal the relative immediacy of the reinforcement. A variation of matching applicable in concurrent-chain schedules states that the relative rates of responding in the initial links will match the relative reduction in the average delay to reinforcement correlated with the entry to each terminal link. The momentary maximizing position states that the molar matching relation is a …

The Evaluation Of Beginning Therapist Effectiveness Using Karon's Thematic Apperception Test Pathogenesis Index: A Psychological Approach, Catherine Rae Miller

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of Karon's Pathogenesis Index as a selection measure for persons entering graduate programs in the mental health field. The fundamental problem generating the research was the need for such selection indicators because of the present inadequacy of personality measures which adequately discriminate between those who have the capacity to become competent therapists and those who do not.

Analysis of the literature revealed many attempts to delineate those characteristics which defined a competent therapist. However, the results were mixed. Only one study VandenBos and Karon (1971) clearly identified a personality variable …

Women’S Roles And Vulnerability To Depression, Monika Johanna Haussmann

Dissertations

In this study, social-psychological variables were explored in the etiology of depression in women. Depression was examined as a function of undesirable life events, occupational and marital roles, and four vulnerability variables: (a) high relational and low direct achieving style, (b) dominance of partner, (c) powerlessness, and (d) negative attitudes toward feminism. The purpose of the study was to examine whether women in varying occupational and marital status groups would differ in degree of depression, proposed vulnerability variables, and selected background variables. The relationship of vulnerability and background variables to depression was explored.

It was hypothesized that vulnerability variables and …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Skills And Satisfaction Of Teenagers Taught Decision-Making Models, John T. Chapman

Dissertations

This study was designed to measure the effectiveness of two generic types of decision-making models currently used to teach high school students decision-making.

Models that were used in this study were a deductive and an inductive model. Deductive decision-making is the philosophical process, that is a generalization of personal values to specific choice items. Induction is the scientific process; students consider a series of specific items and generalize a decision from the examinations.

Effectiveness in this study was defined as the process skills and student satisfaction with the methods. Individual student differences that were considered in the study were grades, …

Peer Training Of High-Risk Low-Frequency Staff Behaviors In An Institutional Setting, Richard Aart Van Den Pol

Dissertations

Four experienced and four newly employed psychiatric attendants were assessed on their performance of three high-risk low-frequency behaviors during simulated emergencies. The three skills measured were Convulsive Seizure Management, Fire Safety Procedures, and Self-Defense. Each of the behaviors directly affected the safety and well-being of staff and retarded residents of the facility. The experienced employees, labelled "Trainers", received a series of workshops on how to perform and teach the requisite skills to other staff. Following each workshop, according to a multiple baseline across skills experimental design, the Trainers each taught one new staff member, labelled "Trainee" how to perform the …

A Descriptive Study Of In-Service Training Programming For Correctional Officers In County Jails In The State Of Michigan, Deborah S. Karns

Dissertations

Social trends towards accountability have motivated correctional facilities to improve the professionalism of their staff. This study investigated in-service training of correctional officers as an avenue to improve professionalism in the correctional facility. The study was concerned with only the county jails of the state of Michigan.

Three investigatory areas were developed to research training in Michigan county jails. These areas included a review of the existing literature, a review of Michigan county jail training programs, and a survey of Michigan sheriffs concerning their existing training programs (descriptive theory) and what they perceived should be incorporated into training (normative theory). …

The Relationship Between Knowledge Of Teamwork, Satisfaction, And Perceived Performance Effectiveness Among Professional Human Service Teams, Sonya Monroe-Clay

Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between knowledge of teamwork, performance, and satisfaction in members of human service teams. Team Knowledge was conceptualized as encompassing four critical areas: Personal-Interpersonal, Team Environment, Team Leadership, and Team Processing.

Research findings in the literature point to certain general benefits of the team model. Nevertheless, some teams are dysfunctional, which may be reflected in poor performance and low morale or satisfaction. Lack of knowledge about teamwork was identified as a possible contributor to such problems.

A major hypothesis of the present study was that there is a direct relationship between team knowledge and satisfaction, team …

A Study Of Hemispheric Synergism As An Applied Theoretical Construct To Determine The Effects Of Contrasting Educational Interventions On Children's Learning Styles, Dale W. Vigil

Dissertations

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were appropriate methodological strategies supported by the left-brain/right-brain theoretical construct that significantly affect the learning styles of first grade pupils.

Procedure

Two first grade classrooms in the Adams County School District No. 50, Westminster, Colorado, were identified for this study. Because the study was initiated after the beginning of the year, it was virtually and logistically impossible to randomize subjects. Therefore, intact classes were differentiated as experimental and control groups on the basis of ten criteria.

Thirty-seven first grade pupils were the subjects in this study. Eighteen pupils were …

A Behavioral Contracting Center For High School Students: Description, Research And Analysis, William K. Redmon

Dissertations

Most psychologists and educators agree that instructional procedures are most effective when individualized. Unfortunately, most approaches to individualization require that large institutional and training changes occur. Thus, educational programs most commonly apply group methods which focus on a hypothetical "average" learner. An alternative program, called the Guided Study Project, is described. This program is designed to augment group procedures without extensive change in current methods. The Guided Study Project is a school-wide contracting center available to all students of all classes. The procedures involve the use of a daily behavioral contract and the project is managed by students who serve …

Component Analysis Of A Behavioral-Supervisory System For Masters- And Doctoral-Level Research, Michael J. Dillon

Dissertations

This project describes a structured approach to the supervision of M.A. theses and Ph.D. dissertations. The main components of this supervisory system are: weekly (a)specification of tasks and performance standards, (b)meetings with a supervisor (either faculty or doctoral student), (c)deadlines, (d)feedback, and (e)added incentives in the form of a point system to be included by the student's faculty advisor in any requested letters of recommendation. In seven experiments, the student's research performance was highest when all components of the supervisory system were present; it deteriorated as each major component was removed. Compared to more traditional supervisory approaches, this system produced …

Staff Incentive Programs: The Effects Of Time Off And Monetary Compensation On Professional Service Delivery, Sharon L. Surratt

Dissertations

The effects of two staff incentive procedures, time off from work and additional monetary compensation in increasing the amount of time that professional counselors spent in direct service (client oriented) activities were compared. The participation of six outpatient counselors, three male and three female, enabled the assessment of the differential impact of these incentive procedures by sex of the counselor. Throughout the study, which lasted 30 weeks, daily records were kept on the amount of time counseling staff engaged in 18 predefined categories of staff behavior. Using a repeated measures design, time off from work and/or additional monetary compensation were …

The Effects Of Rules And Videotape Training On Complex Observation Skills, Gerald L. Shook

Dissertations

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of rules and videotape training on the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of complex behavioral observation skills. A multiple baseline design across two groups of subjects (N = 17) was used. An initial pretest probe measured subjects' ability to score adult and child behavior shown in a set of five, 15- to 20-second videotape episodes. Child behavior was rated as appropriate, inappropriate, or unacceptable. The subsequent adult behavior was rated as correct or incorrect, as a function of the child behavior, in five categories: vocalization, eye contact, facial expression, physical contact, and back-up consequence. Mean …

The Stress Reducing Properties Of Five Intervening Variables, Edward R. Lyon

Dissertations

Current research has demonstrated a relationship between stress and subsequent psychological and/or physical dysfunction. It has been shown, however, that some organisms, both animal and human, are more resilient to stress than others. Several researchers have suggested that intervening variables available to the organism may play a role in stress resilience. Intervening variables have been defined as any resource which has stress reducing properties. Examples of proposed intervening variables include intelligence, wealth, reasoning, friends, and assertiveness. Although many resources have been suggested as possible intervening variables, there has been little scientific research into this area. The present study investigated the …

An Analysis Of Primary Prevention In A State Mental Health System, Salvatore Cullari

Dissertations

This study analyzed ten primary prevention demonstration projects located in various counties of Michigan. While only two programs showed significant post intervention effects, the amount of data available for interpretation was insufficient to allow any general conclusions. Problems encountered in program implementation and evaluation were cited, and procedures that may reduce these difficulties were discussed. A theoretical model for primary prevention based on a systems approach was also presented.

Developmental Counseling And Psychotherapy: Applying The Theories Of Piaget, Perry, Kohlberg And Erikson, Toni Perior Gross

Dissertations

While developmental theories have been used as a diagnostic tool in counseling adults, they do not seem to have been used as a basis for treatment. The author reviews the theories of Piaget, Kohlberg, Perry and Erikson and abstracts from them a series of basic statements and corollaries that form the core of a theory of developmental counseling and psychotherapy.

With these statements as a background, the author discusses the persons involved in therapy, the purposes of therapy, and the stages of therapy. In the considerations on the initial stage of therapy, emphasis is placed on the responsibility of the …

Key Predictors Of Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes Among Clients With Psychiatric Disturbance, William Douglas Brooks

Dissertations

It was the purpose of this study to investigate demographic and treatment/training, services provided variables which predict rehabilitation outcomes among clients with psychiatric disturbance. A population of 166 clients representing a "Mental Health" caseload for Fiscal Years 1977, 1978, and 1979 from the Kalamazoo, Michigan Bureau of Rehabilitation District office were studied. The population consisted of three sub-groups of psychotic, neurotic, and character disordered subjects.

A total of twenty demographic and eleven treatment/training independent variables were subjected to correlational and Step-Wise Regression methods of analyses with closure status (Status 26 and Status 28) used as the criterion.

Three major research …

The Prevalence Of Hopelessness In Hospitalized Alcoholics, J. Michael Mccarthy

Dissertations

This study investigated the psychological construct of hopelessness as a factor in hospitalized alcoholics. There is a high suicide rate for alcoholics, and previous research has shown hopelessness to be a key factor in suicide. There have been no previous studies of hopelessness in alcoholics.

The purposes of this study were to establish norms and reliability of the Hopelessness Scale, an instrument designed to measure hopelessness, and to gain more information about hopelessness by testing several hypotheses concerning the relationship between hopelessness and certain variables. These variables included severity of alcoholism, depression, age, length of problem drinking, number of hospitalizations …

Response Rate, Latency, And Resistance To Change, Stephen Joseph Fath

Dissertations

Response rate has been criticized as an adequate measure of response strength on the basis that rate reflects the adventitious reinforcement of interresponse times. Nevin (1974, 1979) proposed relative resistance to change as an alternative measure. Nevin (1974) employed multiple-pacing schedules in which either high- or low-rate requirements were placed in tandem with either VI 1 min or VI 3 min schedules of reinforcement. The results suggested that low-rate responding may be more resistant to change when schedules are equated for reinforcement frequency. Fath and Malott (1979) replicated Nevin's experiment, but found no evidence that contingencies on response rate affect …

An Analysis Of The Practice Of Educational Program Evaluation In Terms Of The Cipp Evaluation Model, Kay M. Smith

Dissertations

No abstract provided.