Educational Psychology Commons^™

Bullying In Schools : Understanding And Interventions, Donkar Wangmo

Graduate Research Papers

Bullying in schools is a worldwide problem that can have negative consequences for the general school climate and for the right of the students to learn in a safe environment without fear (Banks, 1997). Bullying can also have negative lifelong consequences, both for students who bully and for their victims. Although much of the formal research on bullying has taken place in the Scandinavian countries, Great Britain, and Japan, the problems associated with bullying have been noted and discussed wherever formal schooling environments exist (Banks, 1997). Olweus (1993) reported that one child out of every seven is either a bully …

Academic Attribution Style Of Tenth Grade Students With Attachment Problems, Kimberly Conrad

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between attachment and attribution in adolescents. The question that will be answered in this study is is there a relationship between attachment (as measured by the Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire) and attribution ( as measured by the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire). There is not enough data in the literature at the present time to clearly support that there is a relationship. Data were collected by using two instruments, Adolescent Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ), (West, Rose, Spreng, Sheldon-Keller, & Adam, 1998), and Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire (Crandall, Katkovosky, & Crandall, …

Play Therapy, Melissa M. Sitzmann

Graduate Research Papers

Play therapy is a current trend in school and mental health counseling that takes into account the importance of play for a child's self -expression. It is primarily used with children ranging from three to ten years in age (Knell, 1995). Play therapy is not a theory that stands alone; counselors utilizing play therapy draw from their personal theoretical orientation and blend it with play as the primary means of communication (Cochran, 1996).

The purpose of this paper is to describe play therapy skills. In addition, two theories of play therapy that could be implemented in a school setting will …

Impact Of Family Process And Status Variables On Student Academic Achievement, Jennifer L. Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

Numerous studies have underscored the strong contributions families make to their children's academic achievement (e.g., Christenson & Buerkle, 1999; Conoley, 1987; Henderson & Berla, 1994). The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of parental involvement and the relationship between family-process and status variables and their impact on student academic achievement. Results indicated when parents and schools establish collaborations and work in conjunction to encourage learning, student academic achievement is enhanced. Furthermore, non-cognitive behavior such as attitudes about school, maturation, self-concept, and behavior are enhanced when parents/families are more involved. Other benefits of close family and school collaboration …

Group Contingencies And Classroom Applications, Eric Weichers

Graduate Research Papers

Group contingency is a method of behavior control which is usually used unknowingly on a daily basis in the classroom. And more than likely, its result was success. So why is it that so few teachers use group contingencies as a formal intervention? One possibility is a lack of understanding concerning the principles involved. Another possibility is an erroneous belief that it is a difficult intervention. It may be the lack of knowledge concerning the power of a group contingency. Whatever the reason, group contingencies are not often employed by teachers as formal interventions.

Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge And New Structures For Subject Matter Content, Corina S. Cimpoeru

Graduate Research Papers

This paper examines the concept of pedagogical content knowledge and its implications for teacher preparation and student's learning. The main part of this paper will focus on the necessity of structuring the subject matter in such a way that the content becomes teachable to students. Studies will be presented to analyze different subject matter structures that can be used to make the content accessible to students.

Howard Gardner's Theory Of Multiple Intelligence And The Implications For Gifted Education, Cynthia Fell

Graduate Research Papers

This article, to be submitted to the national journal, Gifted Child Today, explores how Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory (MI) specifically affects the development and delivery of gifted education. Included are discussions of the definitions on MI and giftedness programming and how each approach identification, curriculum and instruction. Three popular gifted education models are viewed through the lens of MI are Autonomous Learner Model (ALM), Talent Identification and Development in Education (TIDE) and Three Ring Conception of Giftedness.

Borderline Personality Disorder : Instilling Hope May Reduce Suicide, Kerry R. Sullivan

Graduate Research Papers

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychiatric diagnosis associated with extreme behaviors including repeated suicide attempts, emotional instability, distorted thinking, and difficulty controlling impulses (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). In addition, a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse is commonly associated with BPD (Murray, 1993). This history of abuse and rigid thinking are characteristics of this disorder associated with suicide attempts (Brown & Anderson, 1991). As a result, suicidal crises are common with BPD patients. Although traditional treatment methods decrease the number of suicidal attempts, they are moderately effective in decreasing suicidal ideation (McGlashan, 1986). Suicidality is characterized by a …

Reading To Heal: Bibliotherapy With Children, Kimberly Ann Wilkin

Graduate Research Papers

This paper presents a counseling intervention, bibliotherapy, as an adjunctive approach to helping children resolve problems. An overview of the definition and history of bibliotherapy, the effectiveness as an intervention as well as goals, stages, application, limitations, and benefits are included. Additionally, an appendix with recommended bibliotherapy books are provided.

Adolescent Depression : An Overview Of The Symptoms, Causes, Assessments, And Treatment, Joanne C. Wickham

Graduate Research Papers

Adolescence is said to be the most stressful time in a person's life (Greenberg, 1989). Although the majority of adolescents adapt without much trouble, there are those who do not accept the changes as successfully as others (Greenberg, 1989). The pressures from parents, peers, school, and society can often lead to temporary periods of depression. In the 1960s, adolescent depression was unusual. However, depression in the 1990s has become the 'common cold' of mental illness (Seligman, 1995).

Exploring The Lewis And Clark Expedition In An Eighth Grade Social Studies Class Using Multiple Intelligences, Scott Bockelmann

Graduate Research Papers

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Armstrong, 1994) has created many new ideas about how people think and learn, as well as how instructors should deliver activities and lessons to students. In this paper Gardner's theory and his seven intelligences are defined.Then a discussion of the five basic formats for teaching, and implementation strategies using multiple intelligences, are shared. An eighth grade social studies unit on the Lewis and Clark Expedition using multiple intelligences is examined by comparing student turn-in rate and motivation in comparison to other assignments given in the class. Project ideas, presentation rubrics, student conference sheets, as …

Effective Multidisciplinary Team Problem Solving : A Review Of Literature, Debra S. Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

The historical legislation mandating multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in schools is well known, yet relatively little attention has been directed toward either evaluating systematic processes that would lead to the desired outcome of better services to all students or educating team members in problem solving content and process. The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influence problem solving outcomes and other aspects of service delivery in MDT settings, including the changing role of school psychologists.

Results indicated much variability and little consensus in several areas: clarity of role expectations, family involvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, continuing educational training, and …

Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs About Teaching And Learning, Helga M. Gudenschwager

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Research shows that knowing what preservice teachers believe about teaching and learning helps their instructors to reinforce those beliefs that are compatible with current approaches in education and challenge those that promote the perpetuation of antiquated and ineffective teaching practices. Four main research questions guided this study: 1. To what extent the beliefs expressed by participants aligned with traditional or constructivist perspectives? 2. Do elementary and secondary majors differ in terms of their preference for practices aligned with these perspectives? 3. Do elementary and secondary majors differ in terms of their beliefs about the goals of education and effective strategies …

Helping Children With Difficulties Learn : An Overview, Sherry Marie Jack

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to integrate multiple variables related to learning for children with special needs. Regarding the first variable, intelligence, the paper considers its history, development, and biological foundations. Gardner's contemporary theory of Multiple Intelligence is also discussed. Then a discussion of learning styles, including the history, identification procedures and matching styles to instruction, is provided. Finally, the paper takes a historical journey through the learning process, to discuss the works of numerous authors in their related fields.

Treatment Strategies Used To Teach Adults Diagnosed With Mental Retardation Appropriate Interpersonal Skills, Laurie S. Youngblood

Graduate Research Papers

Currently, the care of individuals diagnosed with mental retardation is moving toward meeting their needs in the least restrictive environment. Mildly retarded individuals are being guided away from the custodial care of institutions to normalized apartment settings. This integration into the mainstream of society, which allows the retarded individuals to lead as normal a life as possible, is the goal of normalization process. An expected outcome of community living is that these individuals will have increased opportunities to meet people and develop relationships. Living and working in a more free environment is a great challenge for the individual with mental …

Forgiveness Education As A Factor In Adolescent Adjustment To Parental Divorce, Amy L. Knupp

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

An educational intervention with forgiveness as the goal, was implemented with five adolescents who had experienced a parental divorce. The adolescents were all from a Midwestern city, ages 12-14, and Caucasian. The goal of the intervention was for the experimental participants to forgive their parents for a hurt associated with a parental divorce. An exploratory design with a static control group was used. Five subjects volunteered for the forgiveness education intervention, comprising the experimental group, and five subjects agreed to fill out pre- and post-test measures, for monetary reimbursement, composing the control group. The educational intervention lasted 10 weeks, and …

Bully/Victim Problems In A Japanese Junior High School, Yukari Kajishima

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine affective factors of bullying behavior among Japanese junior high school students, with specific emphasis on anger, envy, revenge, and self-esteem.

Data were collected by using five instruments: STAXI, Olweus's bully/victim questionnaire, revenge scale, dispositional envy measure, and the Coopersmith Inventory. The participants in this study were 107 seventh and eighth graders; 58 males and 49 females. They were classified as bullies, victims, bully/victims, or neither bullies nor victims.

Analysis of the data included an examination of correlations between bullying and emotion ,and an investigation of differences in emotions, among bullies, victims, bully/victims, …

Providing Services For A Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Student In A Small Midwestern Elementary School : A Qualitative Case Study, Candace L. Kist-Tahmasian

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Presented is a case study of an eight-year-old boy who is learning English as a second language in a midwestern elementary school. The number of students needing ESL and/or bilingual education is rapidly growing throughout the United States. Many non-urban schools and districts must now begin to meet these needs. Observations of the student in various school settings were done over a period of six weeks for a total of 24 hours. Interviews of key personnel provided additional information important to the study. Three themes of concern in regard to the student's educational situation became the focus of the case …

Alcohol Education For Elementary School Children, Pam R. Stamper

Graduate Research Papers

In 1992, close to 90% of high school seniors reported past experience with alcohol, while 50% stated use in the last month and 3% reported daily use of alcohol (Adger & Werner, 1994). According to a report in 1993, 78% of high school seniors had used alcohol in the past year and one-third stated that they drank heavily (Feaster, 1996). The average age of children first using alcohol, outside of the family or religious functions, was twelve years (Bosworth & Cueto, 1994; Feaster, 1996; Mason & Hodge, 1995). National data showed that adolescents and preadolescents used alcohol at age eleven …

Differential Effects Of Game Structure And Sociomoral Atmosphere On The Social Behaviors Of First Grade Students, Taunjah Patrease Bell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Previous research has suggested that the structure of games influences children's social behaviors. However, no research to date has focused on the effects of both game structure and sociomoral atmosphere on children's social behaviors in the classroom. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to detennine the differential effects of game structure and sociomoral atmosphere on children's social behaviors during game time. Specifically, this study examined the differential effects of cooperative and competitive games on the cooperative, aggressive, disengaged and engaged onlooking behaviors of children in a constructivist and traditional classroom atmosphere. A total of 36 first grade students …

Adolescent Depression : Further Examination Of Gender Differences, Elizabeth Marie O'Neill

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to examine pertinent research questions that remain unanswered by past investigations of adolescent depression. Specifically this study investigated potential differences between high and low scoring depressed adolescents, and whether gender is an influential variable for consideration. Subjects were 175 adolescent boys and girls from a laboratory school in Midwestern Iowa. Subjects were divided into four groups based on gender and responses two questions on the BDI-A. Specifically, the four groups were: boys who scored at or above IO on the BDI-A (sub-clinical group--boys), boys who scored below 10 on the BDI-A (control group--boys), girls who scored …

Effects Of Extrinsic Reward Conditions On Students' Intrinsic Motivation : Implications For Teachers, Jennifer D. Jacobson

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper is a review of literature on the effects of rewards on intrinsic motivation. Two recent meta-analytic studies are reviewed and compared in terms of their conflicting findings. Studies that examine specific conditions in which rewards may enhance or undermine students' intrinsic motivation are reviewed. These selective studies include research on verbal rewards, noncontingent, tangible, expected rewards, and contingent, tangible, expected rewards. Suggestions for future research are made.

Looking Toward The Future For Suicide Prevention, Stacy L. Staton

Graduate Research Papers

Michael was the first born of two sons. His father expected great things from Michael, nothing short of perfection. Michael tried hard to please his father, but his father was never fully satisfied. His father thought if he yelled at Michael enough and was tough on him that Michael would eventually do things right and be molded into a "fine young man." Michael began to feel hopeless. He believed that he would never please his father. He started doing exactly the opposite of what his father told him to do because he knew he could not live up to his …

Historical Perspectives Of Male Same-Sex-Sexual-Orientation And The Division Into Contemporary Etiologies, Robert Emerson Willbee Iii

Graduate Research Papers

This is an introductory paper on the historical perspectives of the social acceptance of homosexual behavior, as well as contemporary views on the division of pro-gay and pro-development (growth out of homosexuality) groups. In conjunction with this, a discussion of the etiology of male-same-sex-sexual-attractions is proposed in accordance to genetic and environmental research. Difficulties in maintaining a pro-gay stance are proposed. Future research into the success of pro-development therapy, is suggested.

Job Satisfaction Among Principals, Irene Tan Ai Lian

Graduate Research Papers

Early studies by corporate organizations related the concept of job satisfaction to work performance. Subsequently, studies in educational research began to focus on job satisfaction among teachers with little attention paid to school administrators such as principals. In the organizational hierarchy of schools, principals hold the highest position. Consequently, it is important to study the influence of job satisfaction among these administrators because of their leadership roles. This paper focuses on the sources of job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction among principals. Studies reviewed cited various sources of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction. These included the job itself, the work expectations of …

Extrinsic Rewards And Their Subsequent Effects On Student Intrinsic Motivation, Anne-Grete Kaldahl Miller

Graduate Research Papers

This paper reviews the current literature on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of different extrinsic rewards and their impact on student intrinsic motivation. A review of literature will address three central questions: 1.What are the advantages of extrinsic rewards? 2.What are the disadvantages of extrinsic rewards? 3.What are the special conditions under which external rewards impact intrinsic motivation?

Suicide And Family Survival, Nancy K. Veldey

Graduate Research Papers

Early one beautiful summer morning, a twenty-two-year-old young man, who was loved by his family and liked by many friends, went to his place of employment in the town where he was attending college, and for reasons known, or perhaps not known, only to him, chose to kill himself by means of hanging. His decision not only ended his life; it impacted the lives of others in a way that will have an effect on them, and those with whom they associate, for a long time, if not forever. His family was left not only with the task of dealing …

A Review Of The Washington University Sentence Completion Test, Jennifer K. Murra

Graduate Research Papers

Ego development is a concept which has been researched for many years One way this concept has been measured is through the use of projective tests which offer a vague stimulus (in this case sentence sterns) which respondents answer without a clear set of rules. Jane Loevinger and her associates developed a theory of ego development which was then used to develop a projective test in 1970 called the Washington University Sentence Completion Test (WUSCT or SCT).

A synthesis of information including validity, reliability, explanations of ego development theory, discussions of different forms, and scoring has not yet been done. …

Caregiver Burden: The Impact On Aging Parents Who Care For Adult Children, Joan Klekacz West

Graduate Research Papers

Contemporary research on caregiving has focused mainly on caregiver burden experienced by children caring for elderly parents. Most gerontological research (e.g., Greenberg, 1991; Greenberg & Becker, 1988) has stressed the movement of caregiver burden and related stress down through the intergenerational family system from parents to children. This research has ignored the impact of caregiver burden and stress on aging parents whose adult children have experienced major life stressors. In this situation, the movement of the caregiver burden moves up through the intergenerational family system as parents assume the caregiving role for adult children.

Using The Arts To Decrease The Educational Failure Of At-Risk Students, Agnes L. Scott

Graduate Research Papers

The number of at-risk students who are destined for educational failure, quitting school before graduation or by not learning while attending school, is increasing at an unprecedented rate (Office of Educational Research and Improvement, 1992). If America does not sufficiently educate its increasing numbers of at-risk students, the nation's social and economic status may suffer due to a deteriorated educational system. These national concerns provide an opportunity to address appropriate educational interventions to help at-risk students. This paper will review the literature which suggests using the arts to decrease the educational failure of at-risk students.