Educational Psychology Commons^™

Teachers’ Views About School Playtime: A Systematic Literature Review, Misbah Khan, Cathy Atkinson

International Journal of Playwork Practice

School playtime exists in varying forms across the world, and there is an extensive evidence-base pointing to its beneficial effects on children. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) recognises these benefits and provides clear guidance to international organisations, including schools, on protecting children’s right to play. However, legislative and societal pressures have led to teacher practices which facilitate the erosion of school playtime. Teachers’ beliefs and their practices are considered to be interlinked and therefore the aim of this systematic literature review is to consolidate existing research on teachers’ views about playtime and consider how …

Profit & Loss: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Salience Of The Black Male Experience In Top-Tier U.S. Mba Programs, Craig Woodward

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study aimed to explore the educational, cultural, and personal challenges faced by Black males in MBA programs and to identify factors that aid their persistence in completing their degrees. The research design employed a qualitative approach to narrative inquiry as its methodology, using one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The study used resilience theory as its theoretical framework, approaching it from both an academic and psychological perspective. Respondents were recruited from the top 50 MBA programs in the United States according to the 2023 edition of U.S News and World Report (2024). There were a total of 15 African American respondents who …

Examining The Complementary Nature Of Working Memory And Dual Coding Theory, Elizabeth Hofschulte Collins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The working memory system is responsible for maintaining, manipulating, and transferring information into long-term memory, yet it operates under strict capacity limitations. Dual coding theory proposes that information can be encoded both verbally and visually, allowing learners to distribute cognitive load across complementary representational systems. Leveraging dual coding may therefore enhance recall, particularly for noun-based stimuli, though there is little to no research exploring this possibility. In the present study, 529 adults completed a forward digit span task and pre-test and post-test free recall tasks involving concrete, abstract, and mixed nouns. Participants were assigned to one of four instruction groups …

Social Development Dynamics Of Students In Inclusive Education In Indonesia, Nur Hidayat Nh

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This narrative review analyses the social development of students with special needs in Indonesian inclusive schools by synthesising five high-quality empirical studies (indexed SINTA 1–3) published between 2018 and 2023. Addressing three research questions, the synthesis reveals heterogeneous and generally limited social development trajectories shaped primarily by ecological interactions rather than inherent disability characteristics. Key barriers include symbolic inclusion, inadequate teacher training in multimodal strategies, low peer acceptance, and systemic resource deficits, whereas facilitators encompass contextualised multimodal communication, active family involvement, and supportive institutional leadership. Effective interventions depend on coordinated teacher–parent–peer triangulation, leveraging local sign language, structured peer-mediated activities, and …

Ctrl + Alt + Inner Speech: A Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (Vcs) Model Of Pathways To Computational Thinking, Daisuke Akiba

Publications and Research

This theoretical paper introduces the Verbal–Cognitive Scaffold (VCS) Model, a cognitively inclusive framework which proposes the cognitive architectures underlying computational thinking (CT). Moving beyond monolithic theories of cognition (e.g., executive-function and metacognitive control models), the VCS Model posits inner speech (InSp) as the predominant cognitive pathway supporting CT operations in neurotypical populations. Synthesizing interdisciplinary scholarship across cognitive science, computational theory, neurodiversity research, and others, this framework articulates distinct mechanisms through which InSp supports CT. The model specifies four primary pathways linking InSp to CT components: verbal working memory supporting decomposition, symbolic representation facilitating pattern recognition and abstraction, sequential processing enabling …

Athletic Participation Among Students And Its Correlation To Increased Outcomes In Academic Performance, Benjamin Carl Anderson

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study investigated the correlation between student participation in athletic-based extracurricular activities and academic performance among high school students in rural Indiana. The research sought to determine whether athletic involvement contributes to academic success indicators such as PSAT and SAT scores, and school attendance. The study looked at how athletics can serve as a lever for improving academic outcomes and supporting students in meeting the criteria for postsecondary readiness. Key research questions explored the influence of gender, ethnicity, grade level, and attendance on academic performance within the subset of students participating in athletics. A review of the literature supported …

A Phenomenological Study Into The Experiences Of Introverted Teachers, Bambi A. Hamel

All NMU Master's Theses

Behavior management has long been a challenge for teachers in general, but there has been a lack of research on behavior management through the lens of personality type, such as introversion. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the strengths and skills of introverted teachers to facilitate positive behaviors in their classrooms, as well as challenges they encountered. In a semi-structured interview, five teachers from a school district in the Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan were presented with a specific set of questions (See Appendix C) targeting their experiences in behavior management as introverted teachers. The results highlighted the teachers’ unique traits …

Barriers To Parental Engagement In Early Childhood Education, Jordan E. Clark

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Parental engagement in early childhood education has long been recognized as a foundational contributor to children's academic success. However, many families face persistent barriers that limit their participation. This study examined three primary obstacles to parental engagement: disabilities, socioeconomic status, and underdeveloped parent–teacher relationships. The findings suggested that intentional, community-centered approaches effectively reduce barriers to engagement, strengthen school–family partnerships, and offer replicable models for promoting equitable participation in early childhood education settings. To bring these strategies to life, the study included a family engagement event developed in collaboration with a childcare center serving children with developmental delays, which provided a …

Unraveling The Links Between Substance Use And Academic Motivation In Higher Education, Melissa Lynn Goins

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) posits that the quality of students’ motivation regulation (i.e., autonomous versus controlled) shapes both learning and health behavior, yet few studies have examined the relations among motivation regulation, alcohol and cannabis use, and achievement. In this study, I surveyed 459 undergraduates at a mid-sized public university in the southeastern United States. Participants completed the Academic Motivation Scale-College version 28 to assess autonomous and controlled motivation regulation, a typical-week alcohol grid, a seven-day cannabis grid, and self-reported grade point average (GPA). Results indicated that autonomous academic motivation was uniquely related to GPA; however, neither motivation variable related to …

Investigating The Role Of Motivation On The Effectiveness Of Computerized Cognitive Training Among At-Risk Youth, Emely N. Lugo

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Student motivation plays a central role in academic success, influencing persistence, engagement, and performance across grade levels. Within situated expectancy-value theory (SEVT), motivation is shaped by students’ beliefs about their ability to succeed (expectancy), the importance or usefulness they assign to a task (value), the perceived effort or trade-offs involved (cost), and the situational context in which learning occurs. Although the link between motivation and academic performance is well known, there is limited research on how motivational factors, like those proposed by SEVT, influence the extent of cognitive gains from school-based cognitive interventions designed to improve abilities related to academic …

Investigating The Impacts Of Facial Gestures On Global Participants’ Perception Of The Speaker, Perception Of The Message, Emotional Responses, And Engagement During Video Conferencing, Hanan Mohammed Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

Facial expressions play a crucial role in shaping communication and emotional understanding during virtual interactions. This study investigated how facial expressions influence participants’ perceptions of the speaker, perceptions of the message, emotional responses, and engagement during video conferencing across diverse cultural contexts. A hybrid experimental design was implemented using self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data and examine cause-and-effect relationships. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three facial-expression conditions Positive (smiling and joyful), Negative (angry or nervous), or Neutral (expressionless) and viewed speakers representing three ethnic backgrounds: White American, Black American, and Middle Eastern. Using a seven-point semantic differential scale, …

Teacher Self-Efficacy As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Perceived Stressors And Overall Stress During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Study Of Dominican Public-School Teachers In The Usaid Leer Project, Yira I. Vargas

All Dissertations

This study examined the predictive and moderating roles of teacher self-efficacy (TSE) in the relationship between teacher perceived COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors and overall stress among public-school teachers in the Dominican Republic. Using secondary data from the USAID Leer Project (2021), the study analyzed responses from 142 teachers who completed validated instruments measuring teacher self-efficacy (TSES), pandemic-related teacher stressors (Oros et al., 2020), and perceived stress (PSS-14). The study had three main objectives: (1) to examine whether pandemic-related stressors negatively predicted teacher self-efficacy in student engagement, instructional strategies, and classroom management; (2) to determine whether teacher self-efficacy moderated the relationship between …

An Experimental Evaluation Of A Gamified Learning Approach To Address Bullying Knowledge, Perceptions, And Self-Efficacy Among Elementary Students: Playing Yozgoo In Albania, Sashen Rexhepaj

All Dissertations

This study evaluated the effectiveness of Yozgoo's web-based gamified educational intervention in enhancing elementary school students’ knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to bullying prevention in Albania. Utilizing a true experimental pre-test and post-test control group design, the study involved 120 students (ages 10-12) equally divided by gender and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 60) or a control group (n = 60). The experimental group participated in Yozgoo gameplay sessions over six to eight weeks, while the control group engaged in standard activities without exposure to the intervention.

Three validated measures were administered to assess outcomes: …

Understanding Social And Cognitive Influences In Medical Students' Learning Processes For Step 1: An Interpretivist Case Study., Ashley Elaine Triplett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative interpretivist case study explores, at a singular institution, medical students’ perspectives on the social and cognitive factors influencing the learning process as students prepare for the Step 1 examination. While prior research regarding medical students Step 1 preparation have focused primarily on wellness, stress, and career outcomes, limited studies have examined medical students' lived experiences to navigate what occurs during the learning process while they prepare for this critical exam. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, this dissertation draws on fourteen student interviews, seven that passed Step 1 on their first attempt, and seven that failed. Findings reveal …

Educating For Impact: A Prosocial Marketing Approach To Foster Altruism Among Young Consumers, Bela Florenthal

Journal of Applied Marketing Theory

This study explores how a prosocial marketing intervention in a dual-enrollment course fosters altruistic values and emotional development among young consumers while deepening their understanding of cause-related and social marketing. Grounded in holistic and experiential learning, the project required students to engage in weekly acts of kindness, reflect on their experiences, and share their actions on social media to amplify impact. Thematic analysis of qualitative data collected over two academic years revealed personal growth driven by intrinsic motivation (e.g., belonging, self-esteem) and positive emotions (e.g., joy, pride). Students demonstrated greater social awareness and practical application of marketing principles through volunteering, …

Mitigating Screen Addiction In Early Childhood Using Value-Based Family Counseling In Ancient Javanese Texts, Fifi Khoirul Fitriyah, M. Ramli, Nanda Alfan Kurniawan, Baraka Manjale Ngussa, Nordin Bin Mamat

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Gadget addiction is often associated with poor social interaction skills, anxiety, and physical health. However, few studies have addressed the issue of gadget addiction in early childhood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a family counseling model that internalizes values from ancient Javanese texts to reduce gadget addiction in early childhood. The ancient Javanese text used was Kakawin Sutasoma, which describes the meaningful journey of Prince Sutasoma. This study was an experiment with a single-subject ABA design. The results showed positive developments in all three cases. In Case 1, reducing gadget time resulted in improved social skills in …

Framework-Based Mathematics Intervention: A Practice Guide For School Psychologists, Shaalein C. Lopez

Journal of Applied Disciplines

School psychologists are charged with providing guidance related to the implementation of evidence-based interventions across academic subjects including mathematics. Despite recent advances in the availability of empirically supported intervention and instructional strategies in math, finding appropriate math-related interventions that go beyond fluency building and metacognitive techniques into the realm of math understanding and concept building remains difficult for school psychologists. The adaptation of a framework-based approach to mathematics intervention, such as one developed by the National Center on Intensive Intervention, provides school psychologists with an evidence-based approach that overcomes numerous barriers to providing support for students struggling with mathematics learning.

A Phenomenological Study Of Parent And Educator Perceptions Of Inclusive Education For Individuals With Disabilities, Karin Elizabeth Kawagoe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative study, grounded in disability theory, explores the lived experiences of parents and educators regarding inclusive education. At present, laws and regulations promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Inclusion has evolved since the mid-1950s. The biblical foundation for inclusion draws on the life of Jesus. This study examined how concepts of belonging, willingness, perceptions of inclusion, and evidenced based practices manifest in perceptions of advocacy, empathy, flexibility, and collaboration. Data was collected using interviews with parents and educators. Thematic analysis revealed that parents’ experiences centered on advocacy, resilience, empathy, and compassion, reflecting feelings of isolation and being …

9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

"Incredibly Powerful And Well-Crafted" - A Review Of Pandemic Death Discourse: Denial, Disparity And The Promise Of Communication, Elda Kanzki-Veloso Ph.D.

The Qualitative Report

This book analysis, focused on Pandemic Death Discourse: Denial, Disparity and the Promise of Communication (Alvarez et al., 2025), expressed a deeply human expectation from readers. The reviewer wanted more than just straightforward facts; there was a deep yearning for real emotion, personal stories, and meaningful connections that helped people cope with fear and uncertainty. They emphasized the importance of immersing readers in the rich experiences of grief, resilience, and hope. There was a need to feel the heavy impact of overlooked lives. The desire for a sense of outrage regarding the disposable nature of certain lives emerged, as well …

Learning In Virtual Environments With Varying Levels Of Sensory Information, Maryam Derayati Far

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

The sensory environment plays a critical role in shaping learners’ attention, engagement, and retention. This thesis investigates how varying levels of sensory input in virtual reality (VR) classrooms influence learning for two age groups—children and young adults—and explores how individual differences in sensory processing moderate these effects. Using immersive VR technology to simulate classroom settings, two experimental studies were conducted. Study One involved 60 children aged 6–15 years, recruited primarily through a university-run summer camp. Study Two included 57 undergraduate students aged 18–36 years, recruited through a research participation pool. In both studies, participants were randomly assigned to either a …

Using Machine Learning Methods To Evaluate Undergraduates’ Executive Function In The Context Of Game-Based Measurement, Ming Chen

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Traditional performance-based measurements have faced criticism due to their potential to induce test fatigue and their limited ecological validity. In contrast, game-based assessments have demonstrated the capacity to engage participants effectively in tests and enhance ecological validity by replicating real-world scenarios. Nevertheless, conventional statistical approaches may prove insufficient in capturing the intricate, non-linear associations between participants' gaming performance and their cognitive capabilities. Leveraging the potential of machine learning (ML) techniques, which can model complex problems, offers a promising avenue for estimating students' performance in video games. This dissertation aims to explore various ML methods for the validation of three game-based …

The Relationship Between Self-Care, Resilience And Burnout, And The Role Of Self-Esteem And Self-Awareness To Facilitate Self-Care Among School Counselors, Sarah C. Mccarthy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

School counselors play a pivotal role in fostering students’ academic, social, and emotional development. School counselors are responsible for addressing a wide range of student needs, such as academic advising, assisting in behavior management, crisis intervention, and mental health support. Being in this position that requires many responsibilities, coupled with high student-to-counselor ratios, many school counselors report having elevated stress levels, potentially leading to the feeling of burnout. Therefore, the purpose of this study focuses on three goals: (1) Determine which self-care practices, and at what frequency, are being used by school counselors to determine which type of self-care practices …

Contradictory Role Of Forgiveness Against Undergraduate Students’ Online Game Addiction Tendency: Two Preliminary Studies Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Amalia Rahmandani

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Two quantitative and cross-sectional preliminary studies were conducted to address the issues of forgiveness in the context of the tendency to online game addiction among university students in Semarang, Indonesia. A forgiveness scale comprising three dimensions of forgiveness, including forgiveness of self, others, and situations, as well as two separate scales of the tendency to online game addiction, was used. Samples consisting of two groups of online gamers were obtained using a convenience sampling technique. The sample size of Study 1, conducted prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, was 114 participants (Male = 98.25%) from four game centers. …

Exploration Of Counselors’ Epistemology: Epistemic Style Perspectives In Helping Relationships, Muty Rachmadiny Utami, Nissa Aulia Belistiana Utami, Nandang Budiman

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Epistemological studies provide important insights into how counselors build their knowledge related to the helping relationship through epistemic styles. This study aims to describe the epistemology of the helping relationship in counseling. A qualitative approach with a case study design was used to explore the experiences of guidance and counseling teachers and students as research participants. Data were collected through the analysis of counseling documents and semi-structured interviews with guidance and counseling teachers as well as five counselee participants. The study results discuss the epistemology of the helping relationship of counselors in seven themes: sources of counselor knowledge, the process …

Rampes: Unveiling The Ideal Counselor Traits In The Sanghyang Siksakandang Karesian Manuscript, Ade Hidayat, Mamat Supriatna

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

This study aims to describe the ideal characteristics of a counselor based on the values contained in the Sanghyang Siksakandang Karesian (SSK) manuscript. A hermeneutic approach was employed to interpret the meaning of the text from the perspective of guidance and counseling grounded in local wisdom. The findings indicate that the concept of Rampes, mentioned 24 times in the manuscript, serves as the foundation for shaping a counselor’s professional, moral, and integrative character. This concept comprises three dimensions: (1) Bakti, which reflects religious awareness as a creature of God as well as a commitment to ethical behavior; (2) Wastu Siwong, …

Influence Of Child Abuse On Youth Restiveness As Perceived By Security Personnel In Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Falilat Anike Okesina

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The rate at which Nigerian youths take up arms to perpetuate anti-social acts has become a major concern to the populace. This study investigated the influence of child abuse on youth restiveness as perceived by security personnel in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State. The study was a survey research. The population of this study comprised all security personnel in Ilorin metropolis and 200 respondents were randomly selected for the study. A questionnaire entitled “Influence of Child Abuse on Youths Restiveness Questionnaire” (ICAYRQ) was used to collect data for the study. Percentage was used to analyse the demographic data. Mean and rank …

The Mediating Role Of Smartphone Usage In The Relationship Between Working Mothers And Children’S Social Interaction, Wulan Patria Saroinsong, Mochamad Nursalim, Azmawaty Binti Mohamad Nor

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

This study explores how smartphone usage acts as a mediator in the connection between working mothers and social interaction among children aged 3–6 years in East Java, Indonesia. Due to the insufficient reading and writing skills of children in this age range to complete questionnaires for the children’s interaction variable, data were gathered from their parents’ perspective, notably working mothers, who offered insights into their parenting behaviors and their children’s interaction patterns when using the smartphone. The research utilized a mediation analysis design to examine the relationships among the variables. A structured questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 400 …

The Experiences Of School Psychologists Serving Students With Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Phenomenology, E. Grace Ritchie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a complex experience associated with a diverse constellation of symptoms and challenges. TBI scholars have extensively explored the varying needs of youth in the aftermath of a head injury. Likewise, recent literature details recommendations for school psychological services in support of these students. Such recommendations largely reflect insights drawn from broader TBI and disability research, integrated with the established scope of school psychologists’ practice (e.g., the National Association of School Psychologists Practice Model). Nevertheless, school psychologists’ perceptions of these students’ challenges have been inadequately examined. Such perspectives are likely valuable, given school psychologists’ unique training …

A Guidance Practice Model: Reframing Prevention, Identification, And Treatment Of Trauma-Impacted Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Mark H. Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The experience and exposure of trauma among youth, especially continuous traumatic experiences, poses considerable risks of long-term effects. Moreover, untreated trauma and subsequently negative mental health outcomes, like anxiety and depressive disorders, can negatively impact the psychosocial and academic functioning of students. One population that is generally overlooked regarding mental health in schools are students with intellectual disabilities (ID). This is problematic as this population is at an increased risk of traumatic experiences, such as maltreatment and social exclusion.

Moreover, the comorbidity of trauma and internalizing disorders among students with ID can exacerbate already existing challenges and deficits with social …