Educational Psychology Commons^™

Operantly Conditioning A College Student's Study Behaviors, Norman L. Culbertson

All Master's Theses

A 20 year old, male, sophomore college student, who was considered an underachiever, was confined to a laboratory study room for a specified number of observed hours during a period of three weeks. An attempt was made to operantly condition increased study behaviors by the E's control of study break reinforcers. The experiment consisted of three phases, conditioning, reversal, and reconditioning. Statistical results showed that when reinforced in this manner for study behaviors, the S significantly increased his amount of study time and number of pages read. It was concluded that (1) operant conditioning procedures could be used successfully to …

Evaluation Of The Consistency Of Informants’ Reports For Children’S Ratings With The Progress Assessment Chart, Craig Allen Gilroy

All Master's Theses

Seven TMR, seven EMR, and seven regular pupils were rated on the P-A-C I by observers who viewed the children in their classrooms or by using parents and teachers as informants. Ratings were compared for consistency between groups and between raters by means of percent agreement figures and proportional t tests. Few significant differences were found between raters within groups. Significant differences were found in the majority of the cases when parent, teacher, and observer ratings of handicapped and regular children were compared.

The Effect Of A Learning Skills Course Including Group Counseling On Low Achievers In The Community College, Paul E. Borg

All Master's Theses

A Learning Skills course consisting of study skills, goal direction, and self-understanding was tested among volunteer community college low achievers. Treatment integrated didactic, group discussion, and affective experiences in 18 hour-long sessions. Nineteen subjects received treatment; 25 subjects formed a matched control group; and 41 non-volunteers formed two additional control groups. An apparent trend toward GPA improvement was noted for all groups, but all measurements on GPA and a study survey were non-significant.

Duration Of State-Dependent Learning Induced By Ncfs-Ecs, Larry Wayne Morris

All Master's Theses

This paper investigated the course of the state-dependent function induced by NCFS-ECS at 24 hr. time intervals, beginning at 24 or 48 hrs. after NCFS-ECS treatment and terminating at 120 hrs. Results of both experiments indicate a state-dependent effect lasting up to 72 hrs., was absent at the 96 hr. retention test but, apparently returned by the 120 hr. retention test. Recommendations included investigation of fixed time intervals after the 120 hr. retention test.

Retroactive Inhibition Versus Proactive Inhibition As A Function Of Variable Time Interval Among Elementary School Children, Tom L. Warren

All Master's Theses

As a study of phenomena which affect learning, the inquiry into retroactive and proactive inhibition and their varying functions should be of vital interest to both psychology and education, particularly to those educators and learning theorists who work with elementary school children. Also, it is hoped that this study will provide more reliable and statistically significant data on the question of whether retroactive inhibition is greater than proactive inhibition of retention. And, in addition, if there is a difference between retroactive and proactive inhibition when the retention test is immediate or follows soon after original learning, will this difference disappear …

An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Student Grades And Parental Attitude Towards The Teacher, Jerry C. Fritts

All Master's Theses

Realizing that the parents play an important role in the total educational process, the primary purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between student grades and parental attitude toward the teacher. It is contended that there is a relationship manifesting itself in the form of a positive correlation and it behooves those in education to do something to cultivate an atmosphere more conducive to educational success. Developing a mutual respect and willingness for cooperation between home and the teacher would serve to greatly enhance a child's educational experience. Another purpose of this study is to …

Time Sampling Technique Applied To Counseling Practicum, William David Thomas

All Master's Theses

The analysis of interactions between individuals was developed primarily within the structure of classroom education. The historical development and refinement of educational interaction analysis was examined to set its use in the counseling situation into appropriate perspective. Many forms of interaction analysis have been used to investigate a wide range of variables. The review of the literature revealed discrepancies in the reported changes, if any, that took place in the verbal behavior of student counselors as a result of practicum training. To clarify this situation somewhat, this study attempted to observe student counselor verbal behavior change in association with practicum.

A Survey Of The Integration Of Exceptional Children In Regular Classrooms, Catherine A. Greene

All Master's Theses

Educational practice in the past has been to segregate exceptional children by placing them in self-contained special education classrooms. Recently, however, this method has been questioned by leading special educators. Proponents of segregation of exceptional children admit to inadequacies in the present situation, but they argue that such inadequacies can be remedied and do not justify placing exceptional children in regular classrooms. Proponents of integration maintain that exceptional children live in a heterogeneous world and as adults will live and work in a heterogeneous world; therefore, these children should have a school setting that is like the world in which …

Stimulus Selection Under Conditions Of Free Choice By Preschool Children At Baseline And After Adaptation, Andrea Lyn Shields

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The experiments reported in the present paper may be characterized as belonging to the general area of motivation research referred to as stimulus selection behavior. Stimulus selection behavior includes curiosity, exploratory, and manipulatory activities. Generally, the research in the area attempts to determine the relation between changes in the stimulus and changes in the measures of approach behavior in the subject (s). In this research, approach behavior is apparently unrelated to organic need conditions. The experiments presented in this paper were designed to determine a preschool child's stimulus preference as he entered the experimental setting, and whether that preference could …

The Use Of Selected Films And Film Discussions In Modifying Social Distance In Elementary School Children, Stanton C. Baker

All Master's Theses

When conflicts involving interpersonal relationships arise within the school setting, it would appear appropriate to attempt to cope with these conflicts within the framework of the school; particularly the classroom. Many methods of modifying behavior through group procedures have been attempted with varying degrees of success. It was the purpose of this study to investigate the effectiveness of one such method; a fiIm-discussion technique. This program was developed to modify behaviors, attitudes and/or perceptions which interfere with the development of constructive interpersonal relationships within an elementary classroom.

Forecasting Classroom Adjustment: The Utility Of Standard Language Fluency, Anne Despres

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Difference Between The Number Of Correct Responses Of Three Intellectually Defined Groups On The Digit Symbol Subtest Of The Wais, Brian Lange

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

This study was a preliminary endeavor concerned with an investigation into whether young adults of defined age ranges and defined intellectual levels obtain significantly different scores on the Digit Symbol sub-test of the WAIS.

With the confidence level set at .05, the null hypothesis that there was no significant difference between the Digit Symbol sub-test scores of the retarded, normal, and superior groups was tested. The term young adults was used to describe subjects between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five. The intellectual level defined as retarded, included Intelligence Quotient scores between 50 and 70; the normal level had Intelligence …

A Survey Of Selected Objectives, Opinions, And Attitudes Of High School Seniors In Norfolk, Virginia, Robert Eugene Brown

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.

The Use Of Defensiveness As A Covariate Of Self-Report In The Assessment Of Self-Concept Among Navajo Adolescents, Bruce Leon Arneklev

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The study investigated the relationship between defensiveness scores and self-report scores as they interrelate in the assessment of self-concept and its change. Data were analyzed to determine if self-report scores adjusted by regression for defensiveness would be more congruent with a criterion measure than unadjusted scores.

A secondary problem was to evaluate the extent to which the self criticism scale on the Tennessee Self Concept Scale (TSCS) and the self-report vs. objective rating discrepancy method would identify the same individuals as defensive.

Samples were drawn from a population of adolescent Navajo boarding school students. A treatment sample participated in an …

Use Of The Pals Test To Differentiate Between High Achieving And Low Achieving Fifth Gradestudents: A Validity Study, Mickey H. Parson

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if the PALS Tests (Williams, 1958, 1961, 1964) would significantly differentiate between low achieving and hie;h achieving 5th-grade students. The basic design was the same basic design as used by Williams (1961), except that high achieving and low achieving students were used instead of acting-out and normal children. It was intended that this research supplement existing data concerning validity of the PALS Tests. The test author (Williams 1958, 1961, 1964) seems to be the only person who has conducted research regarding the PALS.

Role Of Goal Assessment In Evaluating The Counseling Relationship, Dennis R. Whitney

All Master's Theses

The primary function of diagnosis in counseling is to enable the counselor to make predictions about behavior from which he in turn constructs his plans for handling the case (Callis, 1965). The writer assumed that all counselors engage in the process of diagnosis whether they do it purposefully and systematically, or implicitly, perhaps with very little awareness. If all counselors engage in diagnosis, then the accuracy of the counselor's predictions, based upon his evaluation of the client's goals is an important determinant in the way he handles the case and presumably affects the outcome of the counseling process. It seems, …

A Study Of Early Reasoning Skills In The Trainable Mentally Retarded : As Related To Piaget's Seriation Theory, Robert William Ginther

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

In terms of Piaget's theory of cognitive development and the relationship he attributes between reasoning and the development of classification and seriation skills, the following questions arise: can early reasoning ability be enhanced through training? If IQ tests are accepted as measures of intellectual function, do they then contain a significant number of seriation type questions? If so, will the seriation test be an accepted measure of intellectual function?

Semantic Differential Relationships As A Determinant Of Clustering, Burr R. Beckwith

All Master's Theses

In the past, clustering research has focused primarily on the effect of pre-experimental associations and/or conceptual relationships on clustering in free recall. The present study marks a departure from this trend in that it was designed to determine under what conditions SD relationships among task-items would mediate clustering.

A Study Of Attitudes Values And Religious Practices Of Catholic Secondary Students From Parochial And Public Schools, John Joseph Dorgan

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.

Retention Of Conservation Acquired By Instructional Methods, Eight Months After Termination Of Instruction, Wenden W. Waite

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study attempted to determine if subjects that had been instructed in the principle of conservation, maintained conservation after termination of instructions. Using subjects from kindergarten to third grade that had received instructions by use of both concrete example and mental imagery methods. Those S's that received instructions were compared with S's that had received no instructions. A test of conservation was administered to a total of 96 S's approximately eight months after termination of instructions to determine if the scores received on a test of those students that had received instructions exceeded those S's that had not received instructions. …

A Comparison Of Methods Used To Predict Success In Ninth Grade Elementary Algebra, Sherry Slade

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A study was conducted at North Cache Junior High School in Richmond, Utah, during the 1967-68 school year to determine an effective method of predicting which students would be able to succeed in algebra in the ninth grade. Eighth grade marks in mathematics, two algebra aptitude test scores, and student self-success ratings were compared with the final algebra grades to determine the best single predictor of success in algebra and to determine the best combined predictors of success.

The best single predictor of success in algebra was the student's final mark in eighth grade mathematics. The best combined predictors of …

Remedial Reading: Evaluation Of A Reading-And-Study Course With Implications For A College Reading Center, Antoine T. Powell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the method of teaching a "How to Study" class in helping students more adequately meet their reading needs.

Research was conducted to test the reading gains made by students in the program with respect to ability and group size. The results indicate that group size had the greatest effect as to changes in reading behavior.

Instruction was based on diagnosing student needs. It was shown that a significant number of students who decreased in rate of reading, increased in comprehension. The same diagnostic principle was observed for those …

Student Achievement Effort As Related To Achievement And Self Concept, Michael Lynn Maughan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was designed to investigate more completely the variable of achievement effort (effort in school) as related to self rating, teacher rating, student self concept, actual achievement, and sex differences.

A group of 198 sixth grade students were used as the experimental subjects. Five sets of data were obtained on the students: (a) students' self ratings on an achievement effort rating scale, (b) teachers' ratings of their students on the same achievement effort rating scale, (c) students' scores on a self concept scale, (d) students' performances on an achievement test, and (e) students' performances on an intelligence test. Partial …

An Assessment Of The Prognostic Value Of The Lowenfeld Mosaic Test As It Relates To The Learning Readiness Of Selected First Grade Pupils, Nina W. Brown

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.

A Study Of The Interrelationship Between Personality With Special Reference To Self Concept And Achievement In Reading, Betty F. Feezel

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Application Of Behavioral Principles To The Modification Of An Acting Out Child's Classroom Behavior In A Regular Classroom, Marjorie M. Mcarthur

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Intellectually Normal Children, Mentally Retarded Adolescents, And Mentally Retarded Adults On A Three Dimensional Concept Formation Sorting Task, James C. Kamprud

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare nine groups of subjects composed of intellectually normal children, mentally retarded adolescents, and mentally retarded adults on a three dimensional concept formation task; (2) to determine the effects of discrimination training on the sortings of the nine groups on the experimental task.

The 207 subjects of this study were divided into nine groups. Seven of the groups, consisting of high average and low average grade 3, superior high average, and low average grade 6, and high and low adolescent retardates were chosen on the bases of school grade level (3, 6, …

The Little Ones At Home, J Bowen

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WHERE there is just one child at home by day, whether it be an only child or the youngest of an older family, mother often has a lonely child on her hands—and very often a bored little one at that.

A former kindergarten teacher—now a country mother of six children—discusses the problems.

Anxiety And Fear In Personality Structure, Robert Robert Mickelson

Graduate Student Research Papers

The problem to be studied is the effect of anxiety and fear on the personality. Concern with this problem stems from the fact that on many occasions anxiety and fear blocks a person's free approach to experience and often anxiety and fear prevent one from building sound interpersonal and intergroup relations.

Ways In Which The Elementary School Can Improve And Safeguard The Mental Health Of Children, Caroline L. Yock

Graduate Student Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to obtain information concerning (1) the meaning of mental health as it relates to elementary school children, (2) the relationship between mental health and learning, and (3) ways in which the elementary classroom teacher can affect mental health.