Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Impact Of Culture And Religion On The Perception Of Freedom Of Expression Between Older And Younger Generations In South Africa And State Of Kuwait: An International And Comparative Study, Dalal Albudaiwi

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE IMPACT OF CULTURE AND RELIGION ON THE PERCEPTION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION BETWEEN OLDER AND YOUNGER GENERATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND STATE OF KUWAIT: AN INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE STUDY

by

Dalal Albudaiwi

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2014

Under the Supervision of Professor Johannes Britz

Freedom of expression as a right has been protected by many nations' Constitutions and human right organizations. Freedom of expression has a long history in both the Western and Islamic worlds. Each viewed, defined, and analyzed the term differently based on their values and principles. Unsurprisingly, the Western and Islamic worlds do not completely …

Mind & Matter: The Discursive Construction Of The Iphone In Apple's Advertising, Nicholas Stratton

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread adoption of smartphone technology in the contemporary United States requires critical reflection on its role within society. This thesis compares the way Apple's television advertising discourse, from 2007 to 2011, frames the iPhone to consumers with the way Apple's iAd promotional material frames the iPhone to advertisers, and considers what the disparity between these two frameworks says about the still-evolving role of smartphone technology in society. It argues that the disparity between these two frameworks is indicative of a fundamental tension within smartphone technology. This tension is reflected in Apple's ability to discursively construct the iPhone as a …

Redefining News In The Face Of Economic Crises: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Transition To A Watchdog Journal, Aras Coskuntuncel

Theses and Dissertations

In the early 21st century, daily newspapers across the United States struggled with how to respond to economic and technological challenges. This thesis studies one newspaper's response to those challenges. Using ethnographic methods, it explores the Milwaukee (Wis.) Journal Sentinel's transition to a watchdog-centric journal. The thesis suggests that the newspaper responded to economic and technological challenges by redefining news. However, that redefinition brought with it unforeseen problems both in the practice of journalism and the product that journalists produced. The redefinition increased tensions between watchdog and beat reporters, and between older, more experienced journalists and more tech-savvy, younger journalists. …

"So, Are We Good?" The Emerging Sensitive New Man Movement In The Boys' Club Of Stand-Up Comedy, Stephen Kohlmann

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the emerging new man comedic persona in contemporary stand-up comedy. The new man comedian eschews the hypermasculine and heteronormative traits that were common among male stand-up comedians during the boom era (1980s-1990s). The new trend of a feminized and feminist comedic persona will be analyzed through case studies of two comedians: Louis C.K. and Marc Maron. Their comedic personae transcend their on-stage comedic routines and are augmented through transmedia texts. In the case of Louis C.K., he challenges the audience's perception of his persona through his semi-autobiographical and sometimes surrealistic television series, Louie. Maron's comedic persona is …

College Student Lay Health Information Mediary Behavior: An Examination Of Ehealth Literacy And Unrequested Health Advice, Andrew William Cole

Theses and Dissertations

Lay health information mediary behavior (LHIMB) describes individuals seeking health information to relay to others. The current study examines LHIMB as a relationship between eHealth literacy and unrequested health advice (UHA). 254 undergraduate students completed a survey addressing eHealth literacy levels, general UHA behaviors and specific UHA episodes. Results on general UHA behaviors indicate no significant relationship exists between eHealth literacy and utilizing UHA in health decision-making or frequency of offering UHA. However, self-perceived health status and degree of health worry significantly predict using UHA in health decision-making. Further, as health worry increases, participants appear significantly more likely to receive …

Constructing Loyalty, Citizenship, And Identity: A Rhetorical History Of The Japanese American Incarceration, Kaori Miyawaki

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reexamines loyalty, citizenship, and identity in the United States by closely reading historical materials about the Japanese American incarceration. The Japanese American incarceration is a unique and important historical event for studying citizenship and identity, since it was a moment in the U.S. history that citizens of the country were incarcerated by their government. This raises a larger question beyond the incarceration. What does it mean to be a loyal American citizen?

By closely analyzing texts generated by the U.S. government, the Japanese American community, and White American photographers, I identify multiple, conflicting meanings and implications behind the …

The Transition To College: An Acculturation Comparison Of Domestic And International Students, Kim Omachinski

Theses and Dissertations

Domestic and international students face challenges when transitioning to college. Researchers believe first-year intervention programs and orientation are important in successful transition to the university environment. Student involvement from the beginning of the first semester helps create a connection to college and a sense of belonging. Domestic and international students traverse homesickness, financial issues, lack of social support, changes in routine, and academic issues while navigating life away from home. Additionally, students experience a turning point that can often create a change in educational trajectory that results in continuing in college, transferring out, dropping out, or seeking help. The turning …

The Development Of An Eye-Tracking Method To Assess Cognitive Flexibility Using A Switching-Task Paradigm, Melissa Lu Pinke

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cognitive flexibility, a domain of the executive functions, has been demonstrated to influence functional communicative ability, specifically the ability to maintain the topic of conversation, take appropriate conversational turns, self monitor, repair communicative breakdowns, and use of alternative communication modalities. The assessment of cognitive flexibility is essential for the clinical evaluation and treatment of individuals with neurological disorders interfering with communication, however, confounds related to language comprehension and expression impact test validity. This is due to the reliance on verbal and physical response requirements, the understanding of complex linguistic instruction, and concomitant cognitive and physical impairments. Therefore, new methods …

The Newest Vital Sign's Impact On Provider Communication, Adam Drent

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the growing concern over the issues related to low health literacy there has been little research done on the connection between health literacy screening and patient-provider communication. This study thus explores whether or not reporting scores from the health literacy screening tool the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) increases the use of certain techniques recommended for communicating with patients who have low health literacy.

Data was collected at the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center at Parkway as part of the Health Literacy Performance Improvement Module by the American Board of Pediatrics. Before pre- and post-conditions began, participating pediatricians were given …

Balancing Work And Life In A Virtual World: The Impact Of Boundary Management, Virtuality, And Climate On Organizational Identification, Kimberly Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Rooted in Boundary theory, this study extends recent research which suggests boundary management is a multi-dimensional process that can be broken into clusters of cross-role interruptions, role identity centrality, and boundary control (Kossek, Ruderman, Braddy, & Hannum, 2012). In addition, the study identifies relationships between these boundary management clusters, virtuality, organizational climate supporting work-home boundary customization, and organizational identification. This research also considers how the modern-day challenge of virtual work arrangements influences boundary control and perceptions of a supportive organizational climate. Finally, the study examines the relationships of boundary control and climate to employees' organizational identification. Findings indicate that Kossek …

Marketing Post-Feminism Through Social Media: Fan Identification And Fashion On Pretty Little Liars, Anna Donatelle

Theses and Dissertations

Television shows targeted to a young, female audience often depict post-feminist themes such as self-sexualization, self-branding, consumerism, female empowerment through the body, and the "good" girl. This thesis focuses on the ABC Family hit series Pretty Little Liars as an example of the ways in which television shows promote these post-feminist ideologies. I argue that as the network has branded itself as the place for millennial programming; it has used digital platforms to make Pretty Little Liars a one-stop-shop for young women to learn about beauty and femininity. Relatedly, this project analyzes the ways in which young women construct their …

Does Stigma Against Smokers Really Motivate Cessation? A Moderated Mediation Model On The Effect Of Anti-Smoking Campaigns Promoting Smoker-Related Stigma On Cessation Intentions, Jinyoung Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, an increasing number of strong tobacco control legislations (e.g., high cigarette taxes and strict ban on smoking in public places) have passed through Congress to reduce the size of smoking population in the United States. As a part of such national efforts, anti-smoking campaigns have been introduced to curb health problems associated with smoking. Recent anti-smoking campaigns often employ de-normalization strategies that portray smoker(s) as deviant and stigmatized minorit(ies) and smoking as an abnormal and non-mainstream activity in order to better stimulate cessation. As a result of implementing such stigmatization tactics, prevalence of smoking at a …

When Breast Cancer Is All About The Boobs: Postfeminist Culture's Influence On Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigning, Robin Frances Turnblom

Theses and Dissertations

This project analyzes the relationship between breast cancer culture and postfeminist culture, looking at materials from both American and international breast cancer activist groups. Postfeminist culture has an influence on breast cancer culture in several ways, through a neoliberal focus on consumption as a form of activism, continual self-monitoring for beauty and health, a "girling" of women, and the sexual subjectification of women. This project focuses on four main breast cancer activism groups and includes a textual analysis of the groups' awareness and education materials. Included in the textual analysis are responses from popular press and blog sites, which have …

Identity, Value, And Power: A Qualitative Study Of The Complexity Of The Working Relationship Between Technical Communicators And Subject Matter Experts, Tammy Joann Rice-Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

The working relationship between Technical Communicators (TCs) and their Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) can impact such key TC goals as adding valuable contributions, engaging in successful collaboration, and producing quality documentation. Despite the primacy of this relationship, no systematic, qualitative research study in our field has yet examined the depth or breadth of the TC/SME relationship.

To investigate the nature and impact of the TC/SME relationship, I conducted a two-part, qualitative study to explore how TCs and SMEs define the role, value, and power of the TC; identify the behaviors TCs and SMEs report as helpful and damaging in their …

Cultural Differences In Self-Presentation On Social Networking Sites: A Cross-Cultural Comparison Between American And Japanese College Students, Kikuko Omori

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores cultural and platform differences in self-presentation on social networking sites (SNSs) between Japanese and American college students utilizing Impression Management, Media Ecology, and Uses and Gratifications theories and approaches as theoretical frameworks. While Facebook is popular among American college students, Mixi, a Japanese originated SNS, as well as Facebook are popular among Japanese college students. This dissertation investigates the relationship among social culture, the types of SNSs, and the users' self-presentation on SNSs. Previous studies suggest SNS users employ subtle techniques to improve ones' presentation on SNSs, therefore the present study focused on the number of SNS …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Japanese Public's Response To The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, Deborah Decloedt Pinçon

Theses and Dissertations

This narrative content analysis was conducted to gain an understanding of the experiences and perspectives of the Japanese public and explore how individuals have responded to and been impacted by the Fukushima nuclear disaster. After application of selection criteria, content from one alternative media website - Fukushima Diary - became identified as a source of data in this study. In all, 841 single-spaced pages of data analyzed to further understanding of the public's cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses to the health threat posed by the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe resulted in identification of six themes arranged according to two dimensions. The …

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Catholic Feminism: Understanding Prophetic And Deliberative Responses To The Institutional Catholic Church, Mridula Mascarenhas

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation contrasts the Catholic Church's rhetorical framing of feminist activism within the Church against the rhetoric of two organizations that speak on behalf of Catholic feminism. The study conceptualizes the engagement between the Church hierarchy and the feminists as a chorus of voices, each claiming to advocate for authentically Catholic principles. The rhetorical voice of each agent is analyzed to uncover underlying rhetorical strategies. The dissertation argues that although the Church establishment, through the use of the doctrinal voice, claims a contradiction between Catholicism and radical feminism, Catholic feminists attempt to dissolve the alleged contradiction with the use of …

Health Information Behavior And Paternal Involvement Of Low-Income Expectant And Recent Fathers, Emily M. Cramer

Theses and Dissertations

Given the importance of paternal involvement in maternal and child health, the current transdisciplinary investigation is a step towards unraveling factors related to paternal involvement by taking a closer look at low-income expectant and recent (E/R) fathers' health information behavior. The study evaluates the belief that information acquisition associates with fathers' involvement in the pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare. A total of 186 E/R fathers (68 low-income) completed a survey about their information needs, sources of information, and information-seeking behavior. A strong association between E/R fathers' health information-seeking behavior and paternal involvement was observed, and the relationship persisted among low-income groups. …

Vicarious And Source Credibility: A Cross Cultural Explanation, Keith Edward Dilbeck

Theses and Dissertations

Two factors represent orientations of credibility elements, vicarious and source credibility. Both orientations include credibility elements: competence, trustworthiness, and goodwill/care. The two factor solution (vicarious = x axis; source = y axis) develops a credibility grid based on five classifications of credibility evaluations. The five credibility grid evaluations are defined by cross-cultural communication theory. Quantitative evidence is derived from three tests (a) the model, (b) the function, and (c) classification. Data from questionnaries involving 1,149 participants are analyzed both within and across US, Spanish, and Japanese cultures. Reliabitliy estimates for US (.75) and Spanish (.63) are stable, but deficient for …

Promotive And Preventive Health Practice And Self-Construal, Jonathan Bryce Dellinger

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the role of established cultural constructs of self-identification in predicting specific motivations for participating in six physical exercise activities. Composite scores were calculated for each participant (n = 223) for each theoretical construct: holism (organic holism, relational holism, and whole-part attention), collective constructionist self-construal (independent vs. interdependent), and regulatory self-focus orientations (promotive vs. preventive). Hierarchical multiple regressions were performed to determine suitability of these constructs in explaining exercise behaviors. Results suggest that the constructs have some influence over individual health choices, but that this influence may be less pronounced than other phenomena in the sample. Other results …

Student's Perception Of Teacher Immediacy Behaviors On Student Success And Retention, Rebecca Rae Mullane

Theses and Dissertations

This investigation tested the relationship and the fit for a causal model between both verbal and nonverbal teacher immediacy behaviors in the classroom and affective learning, cognitive learning, and student success and retention. Data was collected from two distinct populations, a large Midwestern university and a Midwestern community college. Results indicate that both verbal and nonverbal teacher immediacy behaviors independently predict or cause a level of affective learning and cognitive learning, and affective learning predicts or causes cognitive learning, further supporting that path model. Practical implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations for areas of future research development are …

Coverage Of The Euro Crisis In Spanish, German, British, And American Elite Newspapers, Katrina Schwarz

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationships among culture, economic policy, and news content in the European economic context. The three variables can affect one another, and the effects of information and policy can influence the future of the European Union. The culture measure included opinion and government support in the news. The economic policy measure included austerity and bailout stances. Content analysis of news content from significant periods in 2011 and 2012 in elite Spanish, German, British and American news revealed differences in news coverage. The sample included 646 articles. Spanish and German news had the most coverage of the euro …