Digital Commons Network^™

Watching You Watching Me: Lateral Surveillance In Singapore, Yan Song Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Historically, top-down surveillance -- surveillance from the state and other organizations -- has dominated social life, but not anymore. Technological advances drove down the price of surveillance equipment which aided in the proliferation of devices such as dashboard cameras. The widespread use of affordable surveillance equipment gave rise to the phenomenon of lateral surveillance, whereby laypersons can employ surveillance techniques to monitor individuals around them. The Singapore metropolis provides an excellent example with the ubiquitous use of dashboard cameras for cars today. In this research, I focus on Singaporean rideshare drivers who are simultaneously subjected to traditional forms of top-down …

East Or West? Understanding Strategic Alignment In The Post-Soviet Space, John A. Mowchan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This comparative foreign policy dissertation examines small state alignment in the post-Soviet space. Specifically, I ask what explains change and continuity in the strategic alignment patterns of former Soviet states with the United States and Russian Federation since the end of the Cold War? To answer this question, I analyze the alignment trajectories of ruling governments in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine from 1995 to 2015. While neorealists expect these materially weak states to bandwagon with Russia because of threat or power considerations, the empirical reality does not consistently support these theoretical expectations. What has occurred is that at different …

Religiousness And Political Attitudes In Adolescence, Rebecca Olson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Adolescent civic engagement has been shown to uniquely develop in certain contexts. However, few studies have examined the potential role of religiousness on youth's budding political attitudes about social issues. Religious organizations provide a particular atmosphere for civic development as these institutions and their members often have unique political outlooks. Youth who are associated with religious organizations (i.e. institutional religion), feel connected to a higher power (i.e. spirituality), or have certain religious beliefs (i.e. religious conservatism) may hold specific political attitudes about social issues including capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion, and environmentalism. Further, Social Domain Theory posits that informational assumptions, or …

An Analysis Of The Extinction-Induced Response Burst, Brian Katz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Although the extinction burst is a frequently reported generative effect of extinction, there are few experimental analyses of the phenomenon. The purpose of the present series of experiments was to examine the occurrence, time course, and repeatability of extinction bursts. Six experimentally naive pigeons were exposed to at least five cycles of 5-sessions block of baseline followed by 8-session blocks of extinction. Depending on the condition, baseline sessions were either a fixed-ratio (FR) or variable-ratio (VR) schedule, and transitions from the last baseline session in each cycle to the first extinction session were conducted either between or within sessions. Within …

Children's Perceptions Of Pretend Play Over Time, Rebekah Kisamore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined how age and gender influence children's perceptions of play over time. Participants in the study, 39 children between the ages of three and five, answered pretend play questions pulled from the Play Skills Self Report Questionnaire (PSSRQ). Children in the study were enrolled in either a three or four-year-classroom and were assessed in the Fall of 2016 and again in the Spring of 2017. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA's were used to assess the influence that age and gender have on children's perceptions of pretend play. Results showed that children enrolled in the three-year-old classroom did not assess …

How Connectedness To Nature Relates To Well-Being Over Time, Amy Knepple Carney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Correlational and experimental studies have found evidence that connectedness to nature (CN) leads to increases in well-being. Higher CN relates to higher positive affect, lower negative affect, and better health (Herzog & Strevey, 2008; Korpela & Ylen, 2007; Mayer, Frantz, Bruehlman-Senecal, & Dolliver, 2009). Little research, though, has examined the relation of CN and well-being over time. With the lack of longitudinal data, it is impossible to assess how CN might be associated with well-being and health over a person's lifetime. This study is among the first to evaluate CN and well-being with three-time points. Final analyses were conducted on …

Connecting Talent To Technique An Actor's Exploration Of Connecting Back To Their Roots, Madeline Hintz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper is a reflection of my experience performing the role of Sara Jane Moore in the musical Assassins. To work through this role and honor the simplicity of the comedy, I needed to divulge my insecurities that stem from my past musical theatre and comedic experiences. Working through my past and my time here at WVU, the realization of how personal tensions affected my work made the role of Sara Jane Moore the most challenging experience of my graduate school education. The increased awareness of my resistance to new acting and voice techniques allowed me to grow and develop, …

Explanatory And Causality Analysis In Software Engineering, Yasser Ali Alshehri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Software fault proneness and software development efforts are two key areas of software engineering. Improving them will significantly reduce the cost and promote good planning and practice in developing and managing software projects. Traditionally, studies of software fault proneness and software development efforts were focused on analysis and prediction, which can help to answer questions like `when’ and `where’. The focus of this dissertation is on explanatory and causality studies that address questions like `why’ and `how’.

First, we applied a case-control study to explain software fault proneness. We found that Bugfixes (Prerelease bugs), Developers, Code Churn, and Age of …

Delay Discounting And Cannabinoid Enzyme Inhibitors, Devin Andrew Galdieri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Delay discounting is a measure of impulsive choice that is correlated with maladaptive behavior and psychological disorders. Disruptions to serotonin and dopamine pathways can cause changes in delay discounting, as can lesions to the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. The endocannabinoid system modulates other neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine and serotonin pathways. Cannabinoid receptors type 1 are found in relatively high concentrations in the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex. These receptors are activated by endogenous cannabinoids, which are synthesized on demand and broken down by catabolic enzymes. The action of these enzymes can be inhibited by a class of drugs …

A Comparison Of Child Abuse Potential Inventory And Parenting Stress Index With Families In The Parent-Child Interaction Therapy And Treatment As Usual Groups, Keri B. Whitacre

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study compared Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in a group format to a Treatment as Usual (TAU) group format within a community setting. PCIT is typically conducted individually with caregiver and child in a clinical setting. Results showed decreases on the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-SF), for both treatment groups over time with the PCIT group reporting less parental stress than the TAU group. However, there was no difference between groups over time on the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI). This study provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy of delivering PCIT in a community setting. The implication for child welfare clinicians …

Factors Related To The Career Intentions Of Senior Athletic Training Students Approaching Graduation, Rae Lee Emrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research inquiry examined the factors that influence soon-to-be graduating senior athletic training major’s decisions on their career intentions. Two research questions guided this study: What are the factors, experiences, and/or circumstances that contribute to senior athletic training students approaching graduation planning to persist in or pursue the athletic training profession? and What are the factors, experiences, and circumstances that contribute to senior athletic training students approaching graduation leading to displacement and students not planning to seek employment in the athletic training profession? Qualitative research methods employed a multiple case approach examining four different CAATE accredited athletic training programs …

Effects Of Reinforcement Rate On The Aversive Function Of Timeout From Positive Reinforcement, Cory Whirtley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Although the use of timeout from positive reinforcement is widespread and has been shown to be an effective punisher in clinical settings, the factors responsible for its effectiveness are not fully understood. The present experiment was designed to evaluate one of these factors, the reinforcement rate underway during periods of time-in. Rats’ lever pressing was maintained on variable-interval schedules of food reinforcement in a multiple schedule with two components. In one component, no timeouts were delivered. In the other component, when a variable-ratio schedule was met, lever presses were followed by a 30-s timeout during which a tone sounded, the …

Developing A Framework To Understand Teachers' Self-Efficacy In The Teaching Of Writing, Barbara J. Wierzbicki

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which the domain specific self-efficacies manifest themselves in the teaching of writing. A teachers' sense of efficacy is a multidimensional construct and is a significant construct in how teachers' view themselves as writers and teachers of writing. This study explored how five elementary classroom teachers viewed these domain specific self-efficacies and the ways in which the various sources of efficacy influenced their self-efficacy as writers and teachers of writing. The researcher collected and analyzed domain specific self-efficacy scales and individual interviews to capture the experiences of these teachers. There …

The Influence Of Instructional Design Decisions On Student Motivation In Online Courses, Robin E. Youger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The goal of higher education is to educate, train, and motivate people (Hunt, 1998). Typically, best practices and accepted design strategies are used to develop online courses that fulfill the needs of the university, faculty, and student stakeholders. This study examines two methods of instructional design -- the Quality Matters (QM) process, and Keller's ARCS motivational design process -- to understand if instructional design decisions have influence on student motivation in online courses. Quality Matters (QM) offers a well-researched process of designing online courses based on nationally-recognized standards. The QM format provides an ideal objectives-based course design; however, it does …

Can Parents' Value Of Children's Happiness Predict Their Emotion Socialization And Parenting?, Tyia Wilson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Happiness is considered a priority for most people and understandably so due to its benefits. Happiness not only makes people feel good but leads to better health outcomes. However, emerging research found that valuing happiness at extreme levels can be detrimental to a person’s well-being (Mauss, Tamir, Anderson, & Savino, 2011). Yet, no research has directly examined if the concept of excessively valuing happiness can be applied to another person’s happiness and in particular, one’s children. Additionally, no research has examined how parents’ beliefs about their children’s happiness is linked to parenting behaviors and emotion socialization. Two present studies investigate …

Automotive Crisis: Volkswagen's Emissions Scandal & Response Strategies., Kelsey Plute

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of crisis communication strategies (i.e. Coomb’s Situational Crisis Communication Theory and Bradford & Garrett’s Communicative Response Model) by examining Volkswagen’s key messages in U.S. commercial ad campaigns, individual vehicle commercials, and print ads before, during and after the emissions scandal. The content analysis also identified these specific crisis response strategies in the company’s 2015 through 2018 annual reports, press releases and letters to the company shareholders.

Songbird Response To Forest Disturbance Due To Unconventional Shale Gas Development In The Marcellus-Utica Region: A Multi-Scale Analysis., Laura S. Farwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study, I evaluated impacts of unconventional shale gas development, or the combined use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (i.e., fracking), on forest land cover and breeding songbirds in the Marcellus-Utica shale region. Since 2005, extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus-Utica shale has increased exponentially in the central Appalachians, an area of high conservation value for global biodiversity. Although there has been an increase in research on the effects of shale gas development in the region, the industry is still relatively new in the eastern U.S. and much is still unknown about biological and environmental impacts. In …

Communicated Sex Roles And Gender Identity Gaps., Janelle Vickers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Using Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) and the Bem Sex Role Index (BSRI), this study addresses the potential impact of societally-created, gendered expectations on the satisfaction of emerging adults. Two hundred twenty-nine undergraduates at a large mid-Atlantic university participated in the study by completing an online survey assessing gender, identity, and a relationship with a close other of their choosing. Results replicate previous research using CTI, which suggests that identity gaps relating to gender are dissatisfying. Specifically, gaps at the personal-enacted, personal-relational, and the newly-created personal-personal levels were negatively related to participant satisfaction, and personal-relational gaps were negatively correlated with …

Constitutional Rhetoric: The Genre Performances Of The Written Constitution In Transnational, Transcultural Contexts, Bhushan Aryal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Affected Behavior: Deceptive Unities In Eighteenth Century Conduct Books, Dominique Angela Bruno

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Separation Anxiety: ㅇㅔ로:Ero, Jae Hyun George Cho

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Geosensory In Geography: Examining Olfaction And Geo-Virtual Immersion As Contributors To A Sense Of Place And Embodiment, Aaron Michael Ferrari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

(De)Homogenizing Diaspora: An Analysis Of Indian Tamil Identities In The Us, Christabel Devadoss

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Contested Narratives: The Influence Of Local Remembrance On National Narratives Of Gettysburg During The 19th Century, Jarrad A. Fuoss

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Risk And Protective Factors In African American Anxiety, Patricia Hopkins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Presence In A Persuasive Drinking And Driving Message, Jennifer M Knight

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Instructional Package To Promote Early Educators’ Use Of Behavior-Specific Praise, David L Loomis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Facial Attributes Analysis And Applications, Xudong Liu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Chronic Illness And Health Care Utilization Among Low-Income Preschoolers, Morgan Prunty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

It Takes A Village: Collaborative Social Justice Through Choral Musicking, Natalie Shaffer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.