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Examining Institutional And Personal Barriers To Women's Participation In The U.S. Foreign Service In Comparison To Scandinavian Countries, Isabella R. Thompson

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

What explains women’s underrepresentation in the United States Foreign Service? The United States Foreign Service Act of 1980 claims that the foreign service needs to be “truly representative of the American people throughout all levels.” Women also constitute the majority in such fields as political science and international relations, which often lead to a career in foreign service. If there are no legal obstacles to women’s entry into foreign service and women are the majority in the education systems that lead to a career in foreign service, then why are women not participating? Existing explanations focused on structural factors such …

Sex Differences In How Celebrity Crushes Bolster Self-Perceived Mate Value, Madyson M. King

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Previous research indicates that parasocial relationships provide surrogate connections for individuals to where they offer various psychological benefits. Some benefits include self-esteem and improved body image, which may be connected by such relationships facilitating attainment of one's ideal self. Given this benefit of social surrogacy, it could be possible that a vicarious romantic connection with a parasocial figure may similarly bolster one's mate value if that relationship were to move an individual closer to a personal ideal. We predicted that engagement with a celebrity crush would be associated with a heightened mate value. A community sample of men and women …

Negation And The Backfire Effect, Caden Fowler

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Quick! Do not think of a polar bear. Did you think of a white bear? As Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote in his 1863 essay “Winter Notes on Summer Impressions,” “[when tasked to not think of a polar bear] you will see that the cursed thing will come to mind every minute.” The consequence of negation without context (i.e., unlicensed negation; Levine & Hagaman, 2008) is what has come to be referred to as the “backfire effect,” a phenomenon where correcting misinformation strengthens belief in that information rather diminishing it (Ecker, et al., 2020). Fake news and misinformation in …

The Effects Of Cannabidiol (Cbd) On The Social, Cognitive, And Physical Facets Of Anxiety Sensitivity, Ezri Rathbun

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The current study investigated how repeated administration of 300mg of cannabidiol (CBD), when compared to a placebo, affects the social, cognitive, and physical facets of anxiety sensitivity (AS), a characteristic that reflects fear of the consequences of anxious arousal. Prior work suggests CBD may have anxiolytic effects that may be specific to the social aspects of anxiety. Thus, it was hypothesized that, that, relative to placebo, CBD would reduce self-reported AS-social concerns, but not AS-cognitive or AS-physical concerns, compared to baseline. Participants (N= 79; 52 women; M_age = 22.06) with elevated perceived stress were randomly assigned to 14 …

Amusement In The Absence Of Empathy: Psychopathy In Relation To The Use And Appreciation Of Dark Humor, Jolie A. Brewer

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Although humor functions to foster integration between individuals, not all types of humor are equally appreciated by everyone. Some forms of humor are controversial, which limits their appreciation to specific contexts and potentially to specific people. One form of humor that may meet this definition is dark humor. Production of dark humor could imply that the humorist is disinterested in conventional social situations while similarly conveying an exploitative intention. Given that individuals who exhibit heightened levels of psychopathic personality traits also have a relative disinterest in adhering to social norms, it could be possible that psychopathy is associated with a …

What Are The Roles Of Vocabulary And Working Memory In Metaphor Comprehension?, Claire Simpson

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

One of the most notable factors that influence sentence comprehension is the presence of metaphors (e.g., Inhoff, Lima, & Carroll, 1984). The metaphor interference effect (MIE) is a very interesting result of metaphor comprehension. It is a well-known linguistic effect (e.g., Al- Azary et al., 2021; Glucksberg et al, 1982) that can result in participants taking longer to determine that a metaphoric statement is false compared to other non-metaphoric literally false statements. The present study investigated the impact that vocabulary knowledge, working memory capacity, and memory load have on the metaphor interference effect. We predicted that each of these characteristics …

Avoiding Pathogens Or Avoiding People? Pathogen Avoidance, Pathogen-Specific Stereotypes, And Intergroup Bias Toward South Asians, Aashvi Dahiya

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

People are motivated to avoid pathogens because infection poses serious risks (e.g., illness, death). Pathogen avoidance often relies on indirect cues and stereotypes—like appearance or group membership—to identify potential pathogen threats. A large body of literature has linked pathogen avoidance to intergroup bias, but recent work suggests that this link may vary across social groups. In particular, pathogen avoidance may be more strongly associated with intergroup bias toward groups specifically linked to pathogen-specific stereotypes. The present study examined whether pathogen-specific stereotype endorsement moderates the relationship between pathogen avoidance and intergroup bias toward South Asians. A sample of 684 participants completed …

A Vicious Cycle: The Interplay Between Anxiety, Perfectionism, And Indecision, Kaelyn G. Moran

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic indecisiveness is a pervasive issue that can negatively impact academic, occupational, and psychological functioning. Although prior research has identified anxiety and perfectionism as relevant correlates of indecisiveness, less is known about how these factors uniquely and jointly contribute to decision-making difficulties. The present study examined the relationships between trait anxiety, multidimensional perfectionism, and indecisiveness in a sample of 199 undergraduate students at the University of Arkansas. Participants completed self-report measures assessing anxiety (STICSA), perfectionism (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale), and indecisiveness (Revised Indecisiveness Scale). Zero-order correlations and multiple regression analyses were conducted to evaluate both overall and dimension-specific effects. Results …

The Effect Of Self-Disclosure To Dogs On Stress, Coping, And Emotional Well-Being, Lilian Crawford

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Self-disclosure has been defined as the voluntary sharing of personal thoughts and experiences with another individual, and in recent years, it has been associated with improvements in psychological and physiological well-being. Recent research into animal-assisted therapy has also demonstrated the emotional benefits of interacting with dogs. However, the current research has not yet explored how the specific act of self-disclosure to dogs affects emotional well-being. The present study explored the effects of self-disclosure to dogs on stress, ability to cope, and emotional well-being. Participants (N = 113) included dog owners who were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: self-disclosure …

The Relationship Between Media Use, Identity, And Attitudes Towards Women, Kelly A. Summers

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Pornography’s popularity among college men is widespread, with degrading content being common in top-selling pornography (Bridges et al., 2010; Foubert et al., 2011). Research has shown higher consumption of degrading pornography is associated with more negative attitudes towards women, greater acceptance of rape culture, more sexist beliefs, and greater likelihood of engaging in aggressive and dominant behavior during physical intimacy (Bridges et al., 2023). “Incels” (a term meaning involuntarily celibate) are individuals who have not yet had a sexual debut despite an interest. Relatively little research exists on this population, but the little that has been conducted suggests incels have …

Overview: Neuroscience And The Law, John M. Conley, Rami Major

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Off-Label Neuroimaging, Jane Campbell Moriarty

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Legal And Regulatory Considerations For Post-Trial Access To Maintenance Of Beneficial Investigational Neural Devices, Alexandra L. Foulkes, Erika Versalovic, Amanda R. Merner, Gabriel Lázaro-Muñoz

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Memoir: The Brain, Neuroethics, And Bioethics, Leslie C. Griffin

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Development Of Low-Cost Triaxial Force Sensor For Measurement Of Human-Exoskeleton Interaction Forces, Hamdan Khan Sarvathullah

All Theses

Contemporary research suggests that shear force is a major contributor to discomfort and pressure injury. However, the variation of shear forces during human-exoskeleton interaction dynamics is a highly unexplored field. The high cost of commercial triaxial force sensors may be a major factor in the notable lack of research in this field. Therefore, in this paper, we present a low-cost, 3D-printed triaxial force sensor designed specifically to measure the triaxial interaction forces between an exoskeleton and its user. The triaxial force sensor uses Carbon-Black/Silicone Rubber (CB/SR) strings to measure shear forces, whereas the normal force is measured with a Force …

Connection Through Crisis: A Thematic Analysis Of Dialogic Public Relations And Renewal In Social Media Posts From Nonprofit Organizations During Hurricane Helene, Cassidy L. Gruber

All Theses

During a crisis, nonprofit organizations must communicate quickly and ethically with their stakeholders to maintain a good relationship. Data was collected from nonprofit organizations’ Instagram and X accounts during a one-month period surrounding Hurricane Helene in 2024 to see how organizations were communicating with their stakeholders during a crisis. This study found that nonprofit organizations were implementing elements of dialogic communication and renewal into their social media messages. It was also found that national and global organizations were more vocal than local and regional organizations during the crisis. This research highlights the importance of communicating ethically with stakeholders during a …

Not Just A Drink: The Cultural Evolution Of A Beverage Turned Lifestyle And Its Adaption To Spain, Ava Axtell

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research explores the rise of dirty soda in the United States and how a simple customizable beverage evolved into a cultural ritual shaped by social media, treat culture, and the lifestyle norms of the LDS community. It analyzes the cultural meaning behind Swig’s popularity, including how influencers and online aesthetics transformed the drink into a status symbol and daily indulgence. This study also compares U.S. and Spanish cultural values, including individualism, indulgence, and social rituals, to determine how Swig must adapt its product, branding, and store model for successful expansion into Spain. Findings reveal that while dirty soda thrives …

Cultural Intelligence Recruitment: A Reflection Of Communication And Marketing At Wallace Myers International, Emily Salazar Coutino

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, effective international talent acquisition hinges on the ability to navigate cultural diversity and communicate authentically across borders. This reflective thesis, anchored in a two-month internship at Wallace Myers International, a Dublin-based recruitment agency, examines how the cultural backgrounds of consultants and interns from Germany, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and the U.S. influence workplace communication, employer branding, and recruitment marketing. Drawing on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory and Inglehart’s Theory of Cultural Transformation, the study analyzes observed communication dynamics among a diverse multinational team and their impact on candidate engagement and client relations. It explores the …

Make Fashion Circular: Extending Brand Loyalty By Extending The Life Of Garments, Madelyn Schillinger

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research targets the fashion industry and its journey towards sustainability and circularity, specifically through the rise of clothing resale. It discusses the environmental impact of the overall fashion industry, as well as how secondhand shopping can offset the production of new items. This research also compares third party marketplaces with private, brand-operated resale platforms, exploring how each one benefits both the environment and consumers. Each resale model provides variety in user experiences, profits, and sustainability outcomes. These findings reveal that peer-to-peer platforms have helped normalize secondhand shopping, but brand resale initiatives have a greater control over sustainability and customer …

"Obsessive Myth:" Disturbing The Grammar Of The Lyric And Epic In Theresa Hak Kyung Cha's "Dictee", Noelle (Nell) Kriegel

All Theses

The archival text Dictée by Theresa Hak Kyung Cha spans many genres, making it a highly hybrid text. Cha uses personal letters, official government documents, images, prose, dictation exercises, translations, and poetry to create a composite identity of women neglected through history. Dictée’s hybrid form allows it to experiment with the lyric and epic traditions, challenging their forms to adequately reflect the lived experience of oppressed women. Dictée’s hybridity is but one aspect of its interrogation of literary form and language; the text also plays with grammar, specifically pronouns, to depict a genealogy of female voices as they relate to …

Between Home And Hallway: Does School Discipline And Parental Incarceration Moderate Academic Outcomes Among Justice Involved Youth?, Morgan M. Hamer

All Theses

This study examines the relationship between parental justice contact, school disciplinary action, and academic performance of juvenile justice involved youth. Prior research has found youth with parents with justice system contact and juvenile justice involved youth to be vulnerable populations. Specifically, this study examines how a youthful offender with at least one parent with justice system contact performs academically, and if this relationship is moderated by school disciplinary action. Using quantitative data from the baseline wave of the Pathways to Desistance Study (Mulvey et. al, 2004), an ordered logistic regression analysis was employed to assess whether parental justice contact predicts …

Forest Overstory Mortality & Recruitment Patterns Eight Years Following Wildfire In The Southern Appalachians, Ruth Cumberland

All Theses

In this study, we investigated patterns of forest overstory mortality and recruitment eight years after wildfire in a large wildfire site the Southern Appalachians, a topic that has not been thoroughly investigated to date. With evidence that pre-fire drought promotes post-fire mortality through impaired physiological function and increased fuel consumption, unknown patterns following wildfire are important to study under shifting climate and land-use conditions. In Chapter 1, three areas of interest were investigated: (a) functional group mortality response to wildfire effects, (b) temporal differences in early (1-3 years) and late (5-8 years) periods of delayed forest overstory mortality patterns following …

Rooted In Purpose: Understanding Volunteer Motivations And Preferences In University Forest Stewardship, Lydia N. Heisel

All Theses

In an era of growing reliance on community support in public lands, this study explores the relationship between volunteer motivations and preferences for engagement in university forest management. The research draws from survey data collected from visitors to the Clemson University Forest (CUF), a 17,500-acre educational and research forest in South Carolina, incorporating the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) to assess six motivational dimensions alongside preferences for volunteer program structures, activity types, communications, and sustained engagement intentions.

Using quantitative segmentation analysis, this study identified five distinct motivational profiles within the CUF visitor population through k-means cluster analysis of approximately 180 forest …

Beyond The Interface: Human Perceptions Of Generative-Ai Chatbots As Conversational Partners, Browning W.E. Blair

All Theses

Generative AI (gen-AI) chatbots are becoming embedded in everyday communicative life, yet it remains unclear whether users perceive these systems as socially reciprocative conversational partners. Therefore, this study examines how young adults understand and interact with gen-AI chatbots, focusing on perceptions of conversational partnership, anthropomorphism, politeness, discomfort, and technical understanding. Guided by the CASA framework, Media Equation Theory, and the uncanny valley hypothesis, this study employed four semi-structured, online focus groups with 15 undergraduate students and recent college graduates in the United States. Findings indicate that participants did not broadly perceive gen-AI chatbots as conversational partners in the interpersonal sense. …

The Invisible Toll: Black College Women And The Intersection Of Academic Stress, Rest Deficiency And Exhaustion At Clemson University, Jomya Ford

All Theses

Leisure has been an under-explored aspect of Black women’s lives in higher education, particularly within predominantly white institutions (PWIs), where limited culturally relevant opportunities and racialized isolation shape daily experiences. Constraints around rest, rooted in racism and gendered expectations, continue to influence how Black college women navigate academic pressure, deficiency narratives, and exhaustion. Guided by intersectionality, this qualitative study draws on semi‑structured interviews with Black undergraduate and graduate women at a PWI to explore how cultural upbringing, institutional climates, and internalized expectations shape their definitions and practices of rest. Findings show that while participants recognize rest as necessary, they rarely …

Understanding The Relationship Between Property Neglect And Subjective Well-Being: How Redevelopment Can Strengthen Community Identity In Anderson, South Carolina, Andrew Karriem

All Theses

Neglected and abandoned properties do more than just harm the physical appearance of urban cities. They contribute to the decline in emotional well-being among the residents that live near them.

Campaign Finance And Democratic Integrity: Studying The Effects Of Campaign Finance On Elections, Abigail C. Johnson

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Using data collected from the Stanford Database on Ideology, Money in Politics, and Elections (DIME) this paper examines the connection between campaign finance results in independent expenditures. Focusing on 2022 and 2024 United States Senatorial election cycles, this research investigates whether or not female and male senatorial candidates receive higher or lower rates of supportive and opposing funding and how such funding effects the electoral outcomes of female candidates. Through logit regression analyses and descriptive statistics, like histogram and distribution graphs conducted in RStudio, this research measures how financial backing from outside groups affects probability in Senatorial primary electoral …

Girl Grammar: A Syntactic And Pragmatic Analysis Of Girl And Miss Girl, Evelyn A. Powers

Senior Honors Papers / Undergraduate Theses

Based on observation, personal interaction, and informal interviews/linguistic judgements, this thesis presents the unique and asymmetrical grammaticality patterns of the terms Girl and Miss Girl. To account for these asymmetries, I provide a syntactic framework rooted in Minimalism and Rizzi’s (1997) expanded CP hypothesis, alongside a pragmatic explanation based on Barros and Frank’s (2023) attentional maintenance and attentional shift paradigm.

Miss Girl behaves as a typical R-expression when used as a 3rd person subject, but Girl has a very restricted distribution, inconsistent with either R-expressions or pronouns (it is acceptable as the subject of a main clause, ungrammatical in object …

An Evaluation Of Leading Indicators In The Construction Industry And Their Relationship With Incident Rates, Kitti Miller Whalen

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Improving safety programs has been a focus of organizations for decades. Historically, focus has been directed towards lagging indicators such as recordable incident rates and experience modification rate (EMR). While these remain beneficial, they are only one component of the broader framework. In recent years, companies have started to examine what occurs prior to an incident, which are known as leading indicators. The research into leading indicators is promising, however research into the area is limited. The focus of this study is to identify which leading indicators are most strongly associated with improved incident rates in the construction industry specifically. …

Grace Under Pressure: An Analysis Of School Administrator Personal And Professional Stress And Self-Efficacy, Andrew Mcdaniel

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Indiana public school administrators are one of the most important factors for a school’s academic success. If those administrators are effective, they can help maintain an excellent school’s academic success or perhaps even turnaround a failing school. Without a doubt, their performance is critical for a school’s success. If they have confidence in their ability to help create positive outcomes, their school can achieve great things. Unfortunately, assistant principals and principals are facing significant challenges, not only from schools, but also at home. How do these personal and professional stressors affect their sense of self-efficacy? The purpose of this study …