Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Evidence Of Olfactory And Visual Learning In The Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina Citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), Dara G. Stockton

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Investigation of the mechanisms underlying learning and memory can be achieved through research on neurobiologically simplified invertebrate species. As such, insects have been used for decades as ideal models of olfactory learning. The current study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of chemosensory attraction in an invasive insect, Diaphorina citri, the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), through manipulation of olfactory stimuli. After classical conditioning to a non-innate cue (vanilla extract), psyllids displayed enhanced feeding behavior. There was, however, an inverse relationship between olfactory “noise” and feeding behavior. Preliminary data suggests ACP may also be visual learners, as evidenced by trials attempting to …

Comparisons Of Emotional Reactivity In Two Variations Of Schedules Of Reinforcement, Mayra A. Aguillon

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which the frequency of behavior is affected by its consequences (Powell, Symbaluk & Honey 2009).The main focus of the study was to compare two different schedules of reinforcement: gradual group versus the abrupt group (FI-20 sec).Both groups were used to observe emotional reactivity in 8 Sprague Dawley female rats from the Behavioral Neuroscience lab at UTPA. The hypothesis presented was that animals will reveal less emotional reactivity in the gradual than in the abrupt. According to Skinner, behavior is affected more by the consequence that is followed. Results suggested that the abrupt …

Mental Health Factors That May Contribute To Sexual Functioning, Monique Tenay Cano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The present study investigated the relationship between mental health factors— depression, dysfunctional eating habits, and sexual abuse trauma—and sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was measured with The Sexual History Form (Nowinski & LoPiccolo, 1979 as cited in Davis, Yarber, Bauserman, Schreer, & Davis, 1998), a self report questionnaire. Depression was measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D Scale) (Radloff, 1977). Dysfunctional eating habits were measured by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q 6.0) (Fairburn & Beglin, 2008). Sexual abuse trauma was measured by a subtest—the Sexual Experiences Short Form Version Victimization—of the Sexual Experiences Survey (Koss et al., …

Perceived Anxiety Control And The Contribution Of Gender In Social Anxiety Symptoms Within Latinos, Delia Yazmin Villarreal

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examined the severity of social anxiety symptoms and levels of perceived anxiety control in a Latino sample. It explored how perceived control, over anxiety-provoking events and reactions to those events, contributed to social anxiety symptoms of social interaction fears and performance fears. Potential gender effects were also examined. Gender differences for fear of performance and for levels of perceived anxiety control were found. However, no gender difference was found for social interaction fears. In general, men reported higher levels of perceived anxiety control than women. Low perceived anxiety control significantly correlated with higher social interaction fears and performance …

Considering Ethnicity And Gender Effects In Disgust Propensity And Spider And Snake Phobia: Comparing Asian Americans And European Americans, Laura L. Vernon, Michiyo Hirai

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study examined ethnic and gender differences and ethnicity by gender interactions in disgust propensity, spider and snake phobic distress, and their interrelationships. A main effect for ethnicity was found, with Asian Americans (n = 219) reporting more disgust propensity and phobic distress than European Americans (n = 581). Gender effects were modified by ethnicity by gender interactions, with European American males reporting the least disgust propensity and distress, and gender differences present only for European Americans. For both ethnic groups, phobic distress scores were strongly correlated with animal and non-animal disgust propensity. In hierarchical regression analyses, animal disgust propensity …

Global Prevalence Of Autism And Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Mayada Elsabbagh, Gauri Divan, Yun-Joo Koh, Young Shin Kim, Shuaib Kauchali, Carlos Marcín, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Vikram Patel, Cristiane S. Paula, Chongying Wang, Mohammad Taghi Yasamy, Eric Fombonne

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

We provide a systematic review of epidemiological surveys of autistic disorder and pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) worldwide. A secondary aim was to consider the possible impact of geographic, cultural/ethnic, and socioeconomic factors on prevalence estimates and on clinical presentation of PDD. Based on the evidence reviewed, the median of prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders was 62/10 000. While existing estimates are variable, the evidence reviewed does not support differences in PDD prevalence by geographic region nor of a strong impact of ethnic/cultural or socioeconomic factors. However, power to detect such effects is seriously limited in existing data sets, particularly …

Awareness Of Individual Daily Caloric Requirements And Food Energy Content And Its Relation To Calorie Intake: A Multiple Baseline Design, Frances Rachel Morales

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The terms overweight and obesity are used to identify ranges of body weight that are linked to an increased risk for certain diseases and health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, certain cancers, and others. Current estimates indicate that over two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese while one-third of American children are overweight or obese. Therefore, this has become a significant public health issue. One strategy for combating overweight and obesity is to educate people about nutrition and the nutritional content of the food they consume. Nutrition labeling of prepackaged foods and calorie posting in restaurants …

The Relation Between Gender Role Socialization, Work-School-Family Conflict And Mexican-American College Students' Academic Performance, Alma D. Trevino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

he present study investigated the relation between gender role socialization, work-school-family conflict and Mexican-American college students’ academic performance. Gender role socialization was measured with the gender role socialization scale (Raffaelli & Ontai, 2004). Work-Family Conflict was measured with the Work-School Family Conflict Scale (WFC) and Family-Work Conflict Scale (FWC) (Netemeyer, Boles, & McMurrian, 1996), School-Work Conflict Scale (SWC) and Work-School-Conflict Scale (WSC), Family-School Conflict Scale (FSC) and School-Family Conflict Scale (SFC) were modified versions of Netemeyer et al (1996). Academic performance was measured using participants disclosed GPA (Grade point average). Regression analyses were used to establish predictions between each variable. …

Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis In Venezuela, Joaquín A. Peña, María Elena Ravelo, Evelio Rubio, Dulce Pirela, Arnoldo Soto, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Venezuelan pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Database records from the National Program for MS were searched for patients with an established diagnosis of MS whose first symptoms appeared before age 18.

Results: The national database held records of 1.710 patients; 3.8% had onset of the first symptoms before age 18. 46.7% were boys, yielding an F:M ratio of 1.13:1. Many children had a disease onset characterized by motor impairment (30.7%), brainstem/cerebellum and spinal cord affectation (27.6%), headache (26%). Less frequent symptoms were sensory symptoms (8%) and optic neuritis …

Prevalencia Del Trastorno Por Déficit De Atención-Hiperactiviad En Estudiantes Universitarios Venezolanos. Reporte Preliminar [Prevalence Of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder In Venezuelan College Students. Preliminary Findings], Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Silvia Ortiz León, Aurora Jaimes Medrano, Zoila González-Ávila

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of the at-tention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in college students. The sample was con-stituted by 411 college students, ages between 17 and 47 years, attending the School of Education at the Universidad del Zulia, 1st thru 5th semester. The identification of probable cases was performed by using the ASR-S v1.1 and FASCT as screening instruments. For the second part of the diagnostic pro-cess, students with positive scores in both screening measures were selected to be interviewed using the M.I.N.I plus. Results indicated that the estimated prevalence of ADHD in college students is …