Digital Commons Network^™

Program Effectiveness Of A Parent-Child Group Social Skills Program, Heather Picciott

Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a social skills group program using pre-post testing and focus groups. Program effectiveness measurement was illustrated using data collected from a pilot parent-child social skills building group program, "Raising Positive Thinkers". The group involved four parent-child dyads and ran for three consecutive weeks, meeting once a week for 90 minutes to introduce, practice and review social skills learned. Quantitative data was collected via pre and post questionnaire using the Social Skills Improvement System rating scale (SSIS). Qualitative data was collected from a focus group at the end of the …

Demarcating Computer Science, Dana Burkart

Theses

Despite its relative youth, computer science has become a well-established discipline, granting over 2% of the bachelors degrees in the United States (U.S. Department of Education, 2010). For this reason, it is important that we understand the nature of computer science and the likely direction for the development of inquiry in computer science in the future. This paper examines several perspectives on the nature of the methods of computer science inquiry. These are empiricist methods, rationalist methods, and an engineering stance. It argues that empiricist and rationalist stances play identifiable roles in the scientific nature of computer science reasoning but …

Common Themes In Narratives About Seeking Interpersonal Forgiveness, Kathryn Harter

Theses

This study investigated common themes in the motivations for and obstacles to seeking forgiveness in participant narratives relating to seeking forgiveness in a sample of 156 narratives written by 78 students with a mean age of 21 years at a technical university in the Northeastern United States. Readers used a coding rubric to assess the motivations for and the obstacles to seeking forgiveness as written in the narratives. These motivations and obstacles were explored in the context of a three-stage forgiveness model. The main research question of the study was to explore common reasons that people did or did not …

The Effect Of Interruptions On Prospective Memory In The Emergency Department, Kate Walders

Theses

Using the activation goal memory framework, this study categorized 256 separate emergency department interruptions in a large research hospital setting. Prior to and following their shift, twelve physicians completed a semi-structured qualitative survey about their experiences with, and perceptions of, interruptions at work. During their shift, these physicians were shadowed and the interruptions they experienced were documented. Frequencies of four types of interruptions were tallied: Direct reminders, indirect reminders, memory lapses and no reported memory change. Memory events were a significant proportion of interruptions (47%). Direct reminders comprised the largest majority, followed by memory lapses, indirect reminders and combination memory …

The Impact Of Education And Gender On Perception Of Borderline Personality Disorder, Jennifer J. Noonan

Theses

No abstract provided.

Embracing Immigration: Contemporary Japanese College Students Perceptions Of Foreign Labor In Japan, Kristin M. Wingate

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No abstract provided.

Selective Attention During Retrieval Harms Initial Recognition Memory Performance But Not Subsequent Retrieval Events, Ashley Hartman

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No abstract provided.

Ipsilesional Neglect: Its Anaotmical And Behavioral Correlates, Daniela Sacchetti

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No abstract provided.

" I Take Non Hede What A Man Hath Ben, But I Take Hede What He Wyl Ben": Margery Kempe, Christian Improvement, And The Collapse Of Physical Time, Rachel Tanski

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No abstract provided.

To Infinity And Beyond: A Critique Of The Aesthetic White Cube, Whitney B. Birkett

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No abstract provided.

Why We Have An Intrinsic Reason To Be Rational, Michael Lorenza Neal

Theses

Niko Kolodny makes the following claims. Claim 1: We don’t have reason, in general, to comply with rational requirements for their own sake. Claim 2: Even if we do have reason to comply with rational requirements, in general, and, for their own sake, it doesn’t follow that we have that same reason in any particular case. In this paper, I argue that both Claim 1 and Claim 2 are false. I provide a novel argument which explains why we have reason to comply with rational requirements (for their own sake) both in general, and in particular cases. Along the way …

My Direct Reports: Office Toys For Young Adults., Yunglin Tsun

Theses

Today, working in an office is more challenging than ever. The space is often filled with tension and the work requires people to make decisions and perform their duties in a fast-paced environment. To ease anxiety and keep productivity high, companies often encourage employees to bring toys to their office. However, in the current market, toys for grownups often miss the mark: most of them still use the same design language as children's toys. As adults, we appreciate objects differently. How can we as designers extract the spirit of a toy, then incorporate it into products that appeal to grown-ups …

Arthritis – An Interactive Study Of Common Rheumatic Diseases, Giovanna Santoni

Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to develop an interactive educational tool about Arthritis for medical students at the University of Rochester School of Medicine (URMC). This consisted of an online tutorial that students can access at anytime on the web, containing all lecture material and supplemented by illustrations and animations on the subject. These audiovisual aids aim to engage the student in a study session where he/she can study the material and evaluate their progress in a direct self-paced manner during lecture or later during study sessions for future referencing. This website tutorial was designed using Macromedia Flash 8 …

Anxious Care, Shara Burrows

Theses

The intent of my thesis is to translate objects that relate to our bodies into glass and mixed media. The purpose of this endeavor is to create a dialogue between media and form about the fragile and dependent nature of human relationships. Glass breaks and it can be repaired. Glass objects must be handled with care. The material translation of functional objects into fragile glass forms supports the content of my work. The basic premise of my thesis is the universality of the human experience of loss. Everyone has or at some time will experience the death of a loved …

Above The Flesh, Romeal Hogan

Theses

The goal of this paper is to outline the production of the film "Above the Flesh", from conceptualization to completion. Also included in this paper are supplementary materials in order to further exhibit the production processes and any alterations to story and execution made. "Above the Flesh" explores the enigma of the carnal, animal nature of man in relation to socialization and religion. The film takes place in, and attempts to deconstruct the ideal domestic environment. The story unfolds from the viewpoint of the protagonist, Evan, a neurotic and sickly 25 year-old. Returning home for his 25th birthday, he finds …

Perceived Risk Of Homeland Security Incidents: The Insignificance Of Actual Risk Factors, Melissa R. Haynes

Theses

Contingency theory, with regard to risk of homeland security incidents and homeland security preparedness, has received considerable empirical support. In past research, risk has been measured subjectively as agency executives' perceived risk of specific homeland security incidents occurring within their jurisdictions. This study examines actual risk, using the objective risk factors of experience with past natural hazards, social vulnerability, and urbanization. These risk factors, used in combination, have been significantly associated with terrorism-related homeland security incidents in the United States, and are used in risk assessment models of natural hazards. Contrary to expectations, the results of this study indicate that …

Fun-Cleaning System: To Teach Children To Establish The Habit Of Sharing Housework, Tsaiwei Lin

Theses

This project originated with a single question: Why do many young adults today lack basic life skills? This question came to mind when I noticed that most of my college friends are clueless about how to do the laundry or how to use a vacuum cleaner. After giving this question considerable thought, I began to research changes in family relationships, culture, and psychology to better understand this phenomenon. I have focused my research on Taiwan, my country. Most families in Taiwan distribute housework between the parents rather than among the children. The primary duty of children is to study hard …

O, Karen Donnellan

Theses

My work is driven by the metaphysical and the potential for healing through the manipulation of energy. Points of research include the enso (the only symbol used in Zen Buddhism), which uses the circle as a symbol of wholeness, divinity, and enlightenment. The writings of Alex Grey, Eckhart Tolle and the work of Ann Hamilton will also be investigated. I plan to create work from turned wooden vortex forms, the shapes of which are based on the movement of energy within the body. These objects will be transformed from wood, through rubber, wax, plaster, iron, bronze to cast, and blown …

The Modern Family: Confronting Attitudes And Same-Sex Marriage Legislation Through Gay Male Relationships And Gender Roles On Tv, Alice Telios

Theses

Media portrayals within the ABC television show Modern Family provide insight into how viewers perceive the monogamous gay relationship between the male characters Cameron and Mitchell, and how contact with these characters is related to attitudes and behaviors. A sample of 90 viewers and 157 non-viewers from the University of Missouri and social networks participated in an online survey. Exposure to the program predicted positive attitudes toward gay men and intentions to vote for same-sex marriage legislation. Perceptions of more heteronormative gender roles within the gay relationship did not predict positive attitudes or intentions to vote for same-sex marriage rights. …

Meeting Resistance To A Policy Of Cadaveric Organ Conscription: A Discussion Of The Important Issues And Arguments, Daniel Ryan Sahr

Theses

Conscripting organs from cadavers represents a radical new approach to the problem of organ procurement for transplantation. As it currently stands, there is a wide disparity between the supply of viable organs and the need for those organs in order to perform life-saving transplantations. There is, therefore, a major problem with the current organ procurement model in the United States. Cadaveric organ conscription avoids the requirement for consent in organ donation; all candidates for organ donation will have viable organs harvested for transplantation under this policy. Organ conscription has the potential to close the widening gap between the number of …

Natural Hair: A Content Analysis Of Black Hair Style And Texture On Youtube Videos, Toni Dominique Rowell

Theses

Within a society, the dominant ideology about aesthetics is instilled in individuals at a very early age. Hegemonic standards concerning the subject of hair style and texture has been an ongoing debate in the Black community for decades. A content analysis of videos on the video-sharing website YouTube was conducted to examine perceptions on African American women’s hair style, the relationship between the perceptions on hair style and gender, and the function of African American women’s’ hair styles as a status symbol. The sample consisted of 150 YouTube videos generated by using the keywords, “hair and Black women.” Three research …

Thomas Aquinas: Soul-Body Connection And The Afterlife, Hyde Dawn Krista

Theses

Thomas Aquinas nearly succeeds in addressing the persistent problem of the mind-body relationship by redefining the human being as a body-soul (matter-form) composite. This redefinition makes the interaction problem of substance dualism inapplicable, because there is no soul “in” a body. However, he works around the mind-body problem only by sacrificing an immaterial afterlife, as well as the identity and separability of the soul after death. Additionally, Thomistic psychology has difficulty accounting for the transmission of universals, nor does it seem able to overcome the arguments for causal closure. Thomas constructs his distinct philosophy of the soul by interpreting Aristotelian …

The Personality Matching Of Mentors And Mentees In A Youth Mentoring Program, Toni Jolevski

Theses

This study examined the effectiveness of personality matching of high school mentors with elementary school mentees in an afterschool youth mentoring program. Study participants attended a Western New York school district including 20 mentors from grades 9 to 12, and 16 mentees from grades 4 to 6. Effectiveness was analyzed using three outcome measures: social connectedness, grade average, and school absences. Results showed evidence of iatrogenic effects for mentors. Mentors' performance declined in areas of social connectedness, school attendance, and grade average. Mentees did not have significant improvement in grade average and school attendance. Similar personality matched mentees displayed performance …

The Role Of The School Principal In Motivating Female Teachers Of First Cycle Schools In Ajman Educational Zone In The United Arab Emirates As Seen By Teachers, And Its Relationship To Teachers' Attitudes Towards The Teaching Profession, Asma Sultan Al Khawwar

Theses

This study aims to identify the reality of the role of the school principal to motivate female teachers in the first cycle schools in the Ajman Educational Zone as seen by teachers, and its relationship to teachers' attitude towards the teaching profession. This study will also show the relationship between academic qualifications and experiences as independent variables and attitudes of teachers towards the teaching profession as dependant variable.

The researcher prepared the questionnaire which consisted of three main axes, the first axis deals with the reality of the roles of the school principal, while the second axis has dealt with …

Credibility On Cable News: An Examination Of The Factors That Establish Credibility In Newscasters, Jonathan Mertel

Theses

This study investigates the factors that contribute to and hinder a cable newscaster's establishment of credibility with their audiences. Considerations were made for political factors, exposure to newscasters, para-social relationship strength and visual credibility. A survey was administered online that obtained a sample of 139 participants. Findings suggest that audience members reporting high levels of exposure to newscasters tended to have higher credibility perceptions. The ability to recognize a newscaster was not a significant indicator of credibility perceptions. Newscasters that were perceived to have liberal political views tended to be perceived as more credible than those perceived as having more …

Mediated Voyeurism On Social Networking Sites: The Possible Social Needs And Potential Motivations Of The Voyeurs On Facebook, Pin Ju Su

Theses

Previous studies on social networking sites have failed to comprehensively address the mediated voyeurism in the Internet. The features of Facebook enable millions to follow their friends, which can contribute to mediated voyeurism online. The purpose of this study is to explain the voyeuristic tendencies of Facebook users. An online survey was used to obtain self-reported levels of voyeuristic tendencies and both the social needs (social comparison and social identity) and motivations (surveillance, uncertainty reduction, and uses and gratifications) of Facebook users. Findings suggest that the voyeuristic tendencies on Facebook were positively related to the aforementioned social needs and motivations.

Imagomachines, John Aymong

Theses

This thesis document was prepared in consideration for a degree of Master of Fine Arts in Fine Arts Studio from the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences. It describes the concepts within the body of the artist's work that includes imagomachines, the name given to the thesis' mixed media kinetic sculptures. Also included in the thesis are large-scale, non-toxic prints. This document describes the methods of printing, fabrication, and construction used to resolve the works and have them ready for their installation at the MFA exhibition in the Bevier Gallery at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Within the thesis, associations …

Classroom Habitat: Natural System Of Movement, Sandra Turner

Theses

With all the new technology in today's world, we are hard pressed to find a "sense of wonder and awe" unless it is plugged into a wall. As Jonathan Chapman describes in his book, Emotionally Durable Design; "Modern products seriously lack ... character and allure; they are too smart and precise, removing all possible surprise, mystery and, perhaps above all, charm from the process of engaging with them" (p. 49). Children spend as much, if not more time at school than at home. The classroom plays a critical role in a child's emotional development, yet the objects in the classroom …

The Influence Of Color On Purchasing Decisions Related To Product Design, Kate Goguen

Theses

Designers, especially students studying to be designers, are not always aware of how important color is to the success of a product. Color choice is paramount and can affect the way consumers react to and ultimately choose whether to purchase a particular product. Their decisions may be based not only on the actual color of the product but also on the colors used in the packaging. This thesis focuses on the importance of color in design and demonstrates that color must be successfully integrated into the design process to ensure product success. In order to test this thesis, I designed …

Color Charm: Interactive Color Theory & Color Reflection, Chia-Huei Yen

Theses

"Choosing colors should not be a gamble. It should be a conscious decision. Colors have meaning and function." ~Verner Panton For those of us who have been blessed with the gift of sight, we are able to see various kinds of colors all around us. We are very fortunate to have this gift. However, how many people are able to recognize the value of a given color? What is the attribute that constitutes a color's hue or its saturation? All of us who have this gift can say that we enjoy the ability to see all of these colors, but …