Digital Commons Network^™

Media's Portrayal Of Women: Impact On Aggressive Attitudes And Beliefs, Danielle Trezek

Masters Theses

The purpose of this quasi-experimental quantitative study was to examine images in magazine advertisements and the impact of these images on aggressive attitudes and beliefs towards women. The three research objectives were: 1) to explore the appeal of the portrayals of women in magazine advertisements to males and females, 2) to examind the attitudes and acceptances of violence, gender-roles, and gender stereotypes of the participants after viewing the different portrayals, and 3) to compare the results of males and females to explore the differences in aggression between genders. The participants consisted of 71 college males and females from a Midwestern …

The Influence Of Physical Activity, Eating Habits, And Social Physique Anxiety On Obesity In Adolescent Females, Rachel Marie Hardesty

Masters Theses

Childhood obesity is becoming a more serious problem as time goes by. A large part of the problem is adolescent children are less active, have poor eating habits, and have negative feelings regarding their body shape. PURPOSE: In order to identify those factors most closely associated with obesity. This study compared the eating patterns, activity patterns, and social physique anxiety in non-obese to over weight and obese adolescent females. Also, this study investigated the relationships between eating patterns, activity patterns, and social physique anxiety to body mass index in adolescent females in order to identify those factors most closely associated …

An Assessment Of The Crawl Program: A Brief Alcohol Intervention For First Time Alcohol Offenders At Eastern Illinois University, Catherine T. Passananti

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of an alcohol intervention program instituted at Eastern Illinois University. More specifically, the purpose was to assess how much knowledge student participants gained about their personal drinking behavior and how it affected other individuals. Results from the study include that the program had a positive educational effect on some, while other participants were in need of more individual and intensive alcohol education and counseling.

A Formative Evaluation Of The 2005-2006 Eastern Illinois University Resident Assistant Selection Process, Brian O'Neal Johnson

Masters Theses

The present study was conducted as a formative evaluation of the 2005-2006 Eastern Illinois University Resident Assistant Selection Process. The purpose of the present project was two-fold: 1) to assess participates' perceptions, candidates and instructors, of the five-week Resident Assistant workshop course; and, 2) to generate potential recommendations from research participants for future resident assistant selection processes.

Existential Anxiety And Religious Commitment, Daniel J. Pelak

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Paul Tillich's theory of existential anxiety and religious commitment. The study attempted to determine if there was type of existential anxiety that religion might perpetuate or alleviate. Two hundred and twenty-nine individuals who endorsed a Christian or Catholic belief system completed a series of surveys on an internet website; participants were recruited through various Christian message boards or a standardized email that was sent to various church leaders; the measures of the assessment were Tillich's theory of existential anxiety, death anxiety, moral anxiety, meaninglessness anxiety, religious commitment, and personality …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Prayer And Subjective Well-Being, Brandon L. Whittington

Masters Theses

The present study examined the relationship between types of prayer (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, reception, and obligation) and self-esteem, life satisfaction, and life meaning, while testing optimism, belief in prayer, and spiritual support as mediators. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine relationships. Optimism was confirmed as a mediator between adoration and life satisfaction, thanksgiving and life satisfaction, and thanksgiving and self-esteem. Spiritual support was confirmed as a mediator between reception and life meaning. As hypothesized, optimism played a large role in predicting well-being, especially in adoration and thanksgiving, prayer focused on positive themes. Overall, prayer was shown to predict …

Factors Influencing Early Literacy Skill Acquisition Among At-Risk Kindergarten Children, Jill E. Feller

Masters Theses

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 placed federal mandates on education in which all children will be expected to read grade-level text by the 3rd grade in the academic year of 2013-2014. Risk factors that can be linked to interventions in order to reach the goals of NCLB were investigated. In this study, the risk factors of parental involvement (Reading Minute Index), parental literacy interaction style (Home Questionnaire), and Overactive and Underactive problem behaviors (ASCA composite scores) were analyzed in relation to the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills kindergarten spring benchmarks.

This study was conducted in …

Assessing Effectiveness Of The Differential Assessment Of Autism And Other Developmental Disorders (Daadd) As A Diagnostic Screening Instrument, Caroline Dahlstrom

Masters Theses

Children with developmental disorders were thought to be more similar than different in the past (Greenspan & Wieder, 1998). Many developmental disorders are a result of neurological differences and/or delays in a child's acquisition of general skills and can present similarly at a young age (Richard & Calvert, 2003). Therefore, there has recently been an emphasis on the need for developmental disorders to be differentiated because of the differences being noted. Many assessment tools, including specialized checklists, interview formats, and standardized tests used to assist in the diagnosis of developmental disorders are available. The Differential Assessment of Autism and other …

Methodological Variables For Eliciting Maximum Phonational Frequency Range In Adults, K. Lenee Moseley

Masters Theses

The current study employed an experimental research design to compare the effect of elicitation tasks (glissando versus discrete-steps) and the integration of visual feedback (auditory-only model versus visual feedback with an auditory model) on obtaining an individual's maximum phonational frequency range (MFPR). Participants included forty normal speaking males and females. A one-way ANOVA indicated the glissando elicitation task yielded a significantly higher MPFR than the discrete-steps elicitation task. [F (1,159) = 34.39; p < .01]. A one-way ANOVA approached but did not reach statistical significance [F (1,159) = 3.104, p = .08] for the difference between the auditory-only model and the auditory model with visual feedback. However, the frequency means depicted a larger MPFR when visual feedback was included within each of the elicitation tasks.

The Effect Of Objective Data In Narrative Observation Notes On Changing Supervisee Behavior, Rudyard C. Watson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research study was to determine if two different types of narrative observation notes impacted supervisee clinical behaviors. Narrative observation notes alone and narrative observation notes coupled with objective data were used as the independent variables. Sixteen supervisees and 5 supervisors participated in the study. The supervisees were divided into two numerically even groups of eight and provided with one of the independent variables.

The study consisted of eleven total therapy sessions, with the first three sessions providing baseline data and the following eight involved administration of the independent variables. Group one received narrative observation notes alone …

The Medieval Influences Of Shakespeare’S Richard Iii: Morality Plays, Miracle Plays, And The Chronicles, Elizabeth Jane Shelley

Masters Theses

There are many striking similarities between Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of King Richard III and several types of medieval works. The morality play genre is most distinctly represented by Richard’s representation as the Vice, a popular figure first characterized as the devil’s helper who eventually eclipsed the devil and became the sole figure of evil. Riehard also shares characteristics with the miracle or mystery play figures of Cain and Herod, figures who commit evil deeds and are rightly punished by God. Shakespeare was also strongly influenced by the chronicle accounts of Raphael Holinshed and Edward Hall, who base their accounts of …

Faith, Hope, And Love Through Doubt In Tennyson's In Memoriam, David Settle

Masters Theses

In Memoriam is a poem expressing the journey of Christian faith Alfred Tennyson experiences after the death of his friend, Arthur Hallam. Although Tennyson is submerged in deep sorrow and confronted with questions and challenges to his spiritual beliefs, he becomes a stronger Christian who is filled with faith in a God of love who will reunite him with his departed friend. A careful reading of the poem in comparison with Biblical texts reveals that Tennyson underwent a spiritual transformation that deepened his belief in Christ and the hope of a life after death where he will enjoy the companionship …

Artificial Immune System Based Algorithms For Optimization And Self-Tuning Control In Power Systems, Mani Hunjan

Masters Theses

"Artificial immune systems (AIS) are new computational intelligence methods inspired by various mechanisms of the biological immune system. AIS are adaptive systems inspired by theoretical immunology and its functions, principles and models. The work depicted in this thesis centers on the applications of AIS based algorithms for optimization and self-tuning control in power systems. The optimization is carried out using an algorithm based on the clonal selection principle and the self-tuning characteristics of control for parameters are inspired by the humoral immune response of the human body. The work in this thesis is written in two papers as follows: Paper …

The Search For Authentic Identity In Three Novels By West Indian Author Earl Lovelace, Todd A. Cornwell

Masters Theses

In this thesis, I examine the evolving concept of authentic identity, individual, cultural, and national in the post-colonial Caribbean context embodied in West Indian author Earl Lovelace's The Schoolmaster, The Dragon Can't Dance, and Salt. These three novels when analyzed together demonstrate Lovelace's emerging vision of a future for the Caribbean rooted in indigenous values, self-possession, historical reclamation, and, ultimately, true independence.

Additionally, this thesis explores Lovelace's paradox of the mask, in its many different physical and psychological forms, that simultaneously liberates and imprisons, and the consequences of masking on West Indian identity. In Lovelace's own words, these three novels …

Traditional Versus Nontraditional Relationship Initiation As A Factor In Adolescent Dating And Sexual Behaviors, Jennifer Long

Masters Theses

Research on adolescent dating behaviors, particularly adolescent sexual activity and contraceptive use, is very important due to the health and social costs of teenage pregnancy, childbearing, and sexually transmitted diseases among the adolescent population. The primary purpose of this paper was to address the relation between type of relationship initiation (traditional versus nontraditional) and sexual behavior. Traditional relationships were defined as those initiated by males whereas nontraditional relationships were defined as those initiated by females. Study participants were 104 (62 female, 42 male) undergraduate students attending Eastern Illinois University psychology and sociology classes. The results indicated that significantly more relationships …

Individualism-Collectivism, Values, And Help Seeking Attitudes Among Indian And American College Students, Ateka Contractor

Masters Theses

The present study examined cross-cultural differences in individualistic and collectivistic values and behaviors, the cultural value dimensions of conservatism, openness to change, self-enhancement, self-transcendence, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among American and Indian college students. Data were collected from 111 students at Eastern Illinois University in the U.S. and from 78 students of Mumbai University in India. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Individualism-Collectivism Interpersonal Assessment Inventory, the Schwartz Value Survey and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale. Statistical analyses were computed using I tests for independent means, 2 Way ANOVAs, multiple regression analyses and descriptive …

The Relationship Between Teachers' Training In Behavioral Interventions And Experiences And Attitude About Inclusion, Lisa Murfee

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether teachers' amount of training or years of experience influence their attitude towards inclusion. Bergren (1997) found that both regular and special education teachers agree that mainstreaming will positively benefit both special and regular education students. Van Reusen, Shoho, and Barker (2001) concluded from the results of their research that positive attitudes regarding inclusion appeared to be more highly related to levels of special education training, and knowledge of and experience with the special education population. A total of 148 teachers, out of 258, participated in the current study. Two hypotheses were …

Impact Of Test-Wiseness Training On Kindergarteners' Performance On Early Reading Measures, Keath A. Murray

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of test-wiseness (TW) training on kindergartners' performance on an early reading measure. Scores obtained from kindergarten students who receive TW training for two of the kindergarten probes from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) were compared to scores of kindergarten students did not receive TW training. Approximately 52 kindergarten students were randomly assigned to 2 conditions. In one condition, 26 students took an initial probe, received brief TW training 2 weeks after the initial probe followed by a second, alternate-form "practice probe", and then a third alternate-form …

Effects Of Food Deprivation, Body Size, And Egg Load On The Mating Behavior Of Female Japanese Beetles, Popillia Japonica Newman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Natasha Tigreros

Masters Theses

Female condition may play an important role in the mating frequency of species that mate at foraging areas. For example, in species where feeding females are more easily encountered or less resistant to mating than females that are performing other activities, low energy levels could increase mating activity. We studied the relationship between female condition and mating activity in the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in a laboratory study. We altered condition by depriving some females of food for one day and comparing their mating behavior to well-fed females. Our results showed that the effect of condition on mating …

The Relationship Between Parental Divorce And First-Year College Student Adjustment, Jennifer A. Copes

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to investigate the potential relationship between incoming freshmen parental marital status and students' first-year adjustment to college. The PI saw a need for this study because of the lack of previous research directly connecting the two above variables. Numerous researchers have investigated the negative effects of parental divorce; the importance of one's parents during the transition to college has also been well documented. For the purpose of this study, the PI sought to examine a potential link between the two, assuming children of divorce would experience more difficulties adjusting to college life than children from intact …

The Effects Of An Education Program On Women's Knowledge And Behavior During Menopause, Diana L. Stenger

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if women's knowledge of perimenopause, menopause, and related health issues increased after participation in an educational workshop. The first objective was to determine if there was an increase in particip cipants' knowledge of physiological and psychological changes often experienced during perimenopause, menopause, and related health issues. Two further objectives were to determine if women reported learned treatment options and made any behavioral health changes to manage perimenopause, menopause, and related health issues, from attending the educational workshop, during a 3-month follow-up telephone survey. A quasiexperimental pre-test and post-test design involved a purposive …

The Influence Of Internet Pornography On Heterosexual Male University Students' Attitudes Toward Sexuality, Misty Baker

Masters Theses

The purpose of conducting this study was to explore heterosesexual male, Midwestern university students' attitudes regarding internet pornography. This study explored the use of internet pornography, with a specific focus on: a) the age of first exposure to internet pornography; b) the usage characteristics of internet pornography among heterosexual male university students; c) the sexual attitudes and beliefs toward women among heterosexual male university students;and d)the sexual activity history of heterosexual male university students. A 29-item questionnaire was designed by the researcher to explore exposure to internet pornography, sexual behavior, sexual attitudes, and attitudes toward forced sex. Fifty-five participants completed …

Communication And Authenticity: Transformations Of The Self In The Digital Age, John Dowd

Masters Theses

Through an examination of disembodied forms of communication and technological discourse, this project explores the concepts of authenticity and its implications for communication research. Situated within phenomenological notions of embodiment, authenticity can serve as an important tool for doing rhetorical criticism. It provides an ethical component to criticism that is sorely lacking within many social scientific approaches to the study of human communication, which operate under the guise of objectivity. As authenticity, subjectivity, and embodiment are inescapably connected and as all three provide the foundation for this project, chapter one provides a working definition of each. It is argued that …

Bridge Damage Detection Using An Intelligent Engineering System, Dionysios N. Danilatos

Masters Theses

"This thesis concerns the design of an algorithm that is capable to detect structural damage in civil infrastructure bridges. The algorithm, which will be dubbed Damage Diagnostics System throughout the thesis, is the software component of a broader Bridge Health Monitoring System. This broader system integrates software and hardware,such as sensors and data acquisition components...The rationale for the Structural Damage Diagnosis is based on the principle of the structural vibration testing. The Health Monitoring System captures the vibration signals, as the bridge responds to excitation from various sources. The purpose of the Diagnostic System is to extract information from the …

Undergraduate Adult Children Of Alcoholics And Choosing A College Major, Sara L. Schaller

Masters Theses

This study examined the career decision-making experiences of undergraduate students who were classified as "undecided" in their majors and who qualified as adult children of alcoholics using the Children of Alcoholic Screening Test (Pilat & Jones, 1984). Through basic interpretative qualitative research, this study examined the decision-making experiences of adult children of alcoholics as they choose a major.

Results of this study were limited based on participation; however, three undergraduate females did share their experiences regarding family alcoholism and choosing a major. Only one participant discussed the impact of her family alcoholism on her decision of choosing a college major. …

Cognitive Biases In Risk Management, William Thomas Siefert

Masters Theses

"This thesis contends that most Risk Management/Mitigation programs fail to be as effective as they could be due to a number of mostly overlooked drivers, such as motivation and cognitive biases. The issue of cognitive biases is very seldom addressed. When questioned, most engineers purport to not have any biases. They insist that they use only logic, reasoning, and math to make decisions. A set of data was collected and reviewed for this thesis. The data presented shows that cognitive biases do affect the risk management/mitigation process. Knowledge of these biases and their potential impact on a project will lead …

The Interdialect Approach To Second Dialect Acquisition: Theory, Process, And Results, Shauna K. Cromwell

Masters Theses

This project outlines the theory, process, and results behind an original approach to second dialect acquisition termed the "Interdialect Approach." To begin, the historical origins and development of the non-standard dialect African-American English (AAE) are outlined, focusing particularly on the evolution of the dialect and the importance of its historical examination in relation to current studies, research, and emerging nontraditional teaching methods for second dialect acquisition. This multi-faceted approach is clearly defined and offered as an effective method for teaching non-standard English speakers, particularly AAE speakers as is noted in the discussion of two dialect studies in which the "Interdialect …

The Myth, Paul Meske

Masters Theses

The Myth chronicles a few days in the life of a young man in search of his place in the world. Through flashbacks and discussions concerning choice and purpose, Adam tries to carve out a life for himself after everyone he knows melts away. Adam discovers many things about himself and how the people around him come to embrace their choices. In the end, Adam attempts to make his own choice and to land somewhere nice and peaceful.

Home Invasions: Victorian Domestic Space And The Figure Of The Outsider, Kathleen Rodems

Masters Theses

Victorian fiction often represents a domestic space that is designed both architecturally and psychologically to protect its residents from the external harsh and hostile world. Novelists ofthe period perceived a weakness in the domestic fortress and incorporated characters that could enter these homes in various ways, whether invited or not, and threatened to expose the families to the world they represented. This thesis investigates characters able to disrupt this domestic idea ofprivacy including the orphaned outsider Heathcliff from Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights (1847), the impostor Lucy Graham in Mary Elizabeth Braddon's Lady Audley 's Secret (1862), and the detective Sergeant …

To The Beat Of A Different Drum: Inside The Mind Of An "Aspie", Kristopher Allyn Jones

Masters Theses

This thesis is a collection of the author's memoirs regarding his struggles and achievements of living with the condition of Asperger's Syndrome. The purpose of this thesis is for the material to serve as a gateway for those individuals living and coping with the condition, and, likewise, to serve as a pedantic tool for those who don't understand its esoteric aspects. By writing these memoirs, the author wishes to prevent unnecessary persecution toward those living with Asperger's Syndrome, and he wishes to emphasize to those living with the condition that it is alright to be different. This thesis serves as …