Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Analysis Of Social Behavior In Individuals With Social Phobia And Nonanxious Participants Using A Psychobiological Model, Kenneth S. Walters, Debra A. Hope

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

This study sought to test hypotheses derived from Trower and Gilbert’s (1989) psychobiological/ethological model of social anxiety. This model purports that social anxiety should be characterized by less social cooperation and dominance and greater submission and escape/avoidance. Individuals with social phobia and nonanxious participants completed a structured social interaction. Behavioral measures related to cooperativeness, dominance, submissiveness, and escape/avoidance were coded by independent observers. Those with social phobia exhibited fewer behaviors of social cooperativeness and dominance than did nonanxious participants. The groups did not differ with regard to submissive and escape/avoidance behaviors. Two dominance behaviors correlated with a self-report measure of …

Buber's I-Thou/I-It Construct And Gilligan's Connected/Separate Self Construct: A Theoretical Creative Inquiry, Nancie R. Ziemke

Theses and Dissertations

William Heard's application of Martin Buber's dialogical theory to the practice and theory of therapy bears a striking similarity to the relational theories developed by Carol Gilligan and the writers associated with the Stone Center. Yet these two theoretical constructs have never been critically and formally compared. This study proposes to help fill that gap by critically comparing and contrasting the dialogical and relational constructs.

Seven questions will be addressed. (a) What is Buber's I-Thou/I-It construct?; (b) What is Gilligan's Connected Self construct and the Stone Center's relational construct?; (c) How do Buber and Gilligan/Stone Center's relational constructs compare?; (d) …

A Mentoring Guide For Female Faculty In Engineering, Susan L. Murray, Linda M. Manning, Catherine A. Riordan, Elizabeth Cummins, Philip B. Thompson

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One widely accepted method for increasing the chances of success of female engineering and science students and faculty alike is to provide access to female role models and mentors. In this article we offer to new female faculty, and to those who would mentor them, an annotated list of text and electronic resources that address most of the most important challenges facing new female faculty in science and engineering.

A Technology Assessment Survey For Web Based Higher Education Programs, Earl A. Evans, Susan L. Murray

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Advances in communications and computer technology, as well as in human-computer interfaces, have enabled concurrent advances in Web-based education. A number of case studies concerning applications of Web-based education for both distance learning and on-campus programs have been published. Primarily, these studies have focused on individual assessments of the web-based technologies. In contrast, this paper will provide a broad based assessment of applied web-based technology for higher education. This research was conducted via a survey completed by university and college faculty from numerous 4-year institutions. To gain an effective assessment, eleven categories of web-based course delivery tools, such as chatrooms …

Mcmi - Iii Profiles Of Combat Veterans: Predictors Of Educational And Vocational Impairment, Catherine Jenks

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the ability of four selected scales on the MCMI-111, Passive Aggressive, Avoidant, Antisocial and PTSD to determine the amount of variance contributed by each of the scales as predictors of educational and vocational impairment in Vietnam Veterans. Subjects consisted of 40 Vietnam veterans diagnosed with PTSD who received treatment at an outpatient Readjustment Program in Brevard County, Florida. Multiple Regression analyses identified the Passive-Aggressive personality scale on the MCMI-111 as significantly contributing to the variance as a predictor in vocational impairment, however, in an unexpected direction. Results and implications of these findings are discussed.

The Political Personality Of U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of an indirect psychodiagnostic assessment of the political personality of U.S. vice president Al Gore, Democratic nominee in the 2000 presidential election, from the conceptual perspective of Theodore Millon.

Information concerning Al Gore was collected from published biographical and autobiographical accounts and political reports in the print media, and synthesized into personality profiles using the second edition of the Millon Inventory of Diagnostic Criteria (MIDC), which yields 34 normal and maladaptive personality classifications congruent with Axis II of DSM-IV.

The personality profile yielded by the MIDC was analyzed on the basis of interpretive guidelines …

Temporal Lobe Transients And Prayer, Donald E. Newberry

Theses and Dissertations

Persinger (1983) theorized that religious experiences involve the production of brief, micro-seizures that originate in the limbic system and affect the temporal lobes of the brain. According to this theory, ritual behavior could be used by individuals to induce micro-seizure activity. The theory predicted that an increase in alpha and theta activity in the temporal lobes of the brain would occur when subjects had a religious experience.

To test this, male and female Christian college students completed a Prayer Experiences Questionnaire inquiring about their religious experiences during prayer. Individuals scoring in the upper and lower 30 percent of the possible …

Factors Which Improve The Construct Validity Of Assessment Centers: A Review, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This article reviews 21 studies which manipulated specific variables to determine their impact on the construct validity of assessment centers. This review shows that the studies regarding the impact of different observation, evaluation, and integration procedures yielded mixed results. Conversely, dimension factors (number, conceptual distinctiveness, and transparency), assessor factors (type of assessor and type of assessor training), and exercise factors (exercise form and use of role-players) were found to moderate construct validity. On the basis of the review, practical recommendations are derived to maximize the probability that practitioners design and administer an assessment center with construct validity. Finally, new perspectives …

Age And Gender Differences In Body Attitudes: A Comparison Of Young And Elderly Adults, Stephen L. Franzoi, Virginia Koehler

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

One hundred and thirty-two young adults (Mean = 19 years) and 142 elderly adults (Mean = 74 years) evaluated thirty-five different aspects of their own bodies. As hypothesized, elderly adults expressed less positive attitudes than young adults toward body items associated with body functioning (physical coordination, agility, sex drive, health). These differences are consistent with research indicating a progressive decline in bodily function efficiency with advancing age (Christofalo, 1988; Lakatta, 1990). Also as expected, the elderly held less positive attitudes toward body aspects associated with facial attractiveness (lips, appearance of eyes, cheek/cheekbones). These differences are in line with the structural …

Stereotyping And Self-Presentation: Effects Of Gender Stereotype Activation, Chi-Yue Chiu, Ying-Yi Hong, Ivy Ching-Man Lam, Jeanne Ho-Ying Fu, Jennifer Yuk-Yue Tong, Venus Sau-Lai Lee

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Recent research has shown that the presence of stereotype-relevant environmental cues can inadvertently bias people's judgments of others in the direction of the stereotype. The present research demonstrated analogous activation effects on self-stereotyping. In two experiments, the effects of stereotype activation on the tendencies to stereotype others and to self-stereotype were examined. Experiment 1 tested whether incidental exposure to gender-related materials might activate gender stereotypes and hence affect perception of another person. Experiment 2 investigated gender stereotype activation effects on female and male high school students' self-presentation behaviors. The results showed that incidental exposure to stereotype-relevant environmental cues increased both …

What Makes A Life Good?, Laura A. King, Christie N. Scollon

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Two studies examined folk concepts of the good life. Samples of college students (N=104) and community adults (N=264) were shown a career survey ostensibly completed by a person rating his or her occupation. After reading the survey, participants judged the desirability and moral goodness of the respondent's life, as a function of the amount of happiness, meaning in life, and wealth experienced. Results revealed significant effects of happiness and meaning on ratings of desirability and moral goodness. In the college sample, individuals high on all 3 independent variables were judged as likely to go to heaven. In the adult sample, …

Effectiveness Of An On-Line Graduate Engineering Management Course: A Preliminary Study, Rosemarie Maffei Evans, Madison Daily, Susan L. Murray

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the summer of 1997, the University of Missouri-Rolla's (UMR) Engineering Management Department began offering its first completely Web-based course. This graduate level course, Advanced Production Management, was designed to utilize a combination of Web-based tools to create a conducive, yet non-traditional, learning environment for its students. The students in the course did not physically have to attend any lectures and only met for an initial and final class period. The remainder of the course was conducted exclusively via Web-based tools. Accordingly, the Engineering Management Department commenced a research effort to determine the effectiveness of this new learning environment. This …

Elements Affecting Disclosure Of Abusive Dating Relationships: Attachment Style Sex Of Research Participant And Importance Of Disclosure Target, Michael Alexander Keefer

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the influence of attachment style, sex of research participant, and relationship importance of disclosure target on the self-disclosure of abuse in dating relationships using a hypothetical dating aggression scenario. The two dependent variables were willingness to disclose and perceived helpfulness of self-disclosure. Research participants were classified according to Bartholomew's model of adult attachment (i.e., secure, preoccupied, dismissing, or fearful). Attachment style of research participants significantly affected perceived helpfulness of self-disclosure. Fearful participants perceived the most helpfulness from disclosure and were the most willing to self-disclose. Sex of research participant did not have a significant effect on willingness …

Cross-Racial Facial Identification: Black And White Oriented Elaborative Processing, Tonika E. Duren

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study was conducted to affect the own-race bias effect in facial recognition by using an elaboration process. According to method, 45 Black and 45 White college male and female participants completed the experiment. Participants were presented Black and White faces on a screen. Each face was rated using 1)Black-Oriented instructions which focused on features such as eye size, nose width, and lips, 2)White- Oriented instructions which focused on eye color, hair color, and hair texture, 3) Attitude- Oriented instructions which focused on intelligence, friendliness, and honesty. The primary dependent variable was a measure of discriminability using proportion of …

The Relationship Of Antifat Attitudes To Other Prejudicial Attitudes: Construct Validation Of The Antifat Attitudes Test, Mark S. Perez-Lopez

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

There are many negative effects of obesity in our society. As a result, a new measure of antifat attitudes was developed. This study examined the construct, discriminant, and convergent validity of the Antifat Attitudes Test by relating antifat attitudes to racism, sexism, and homophobia.

Participants included 179 college undergraduate students. Multiple regression analyses revealed significant contributions of sex-role egalitarianism, racism, masculine ideology, body mass, and social desirability in the prediction of antifat attitudes. Several one-way analyses of variance revealed that men expressed stronger antifat attitudes than women and African-Americans were more accepting of fat individuals than were Whites. Additionally, androgynous …

Two Views Of Physical Attractiveness: Informational Influences On Women's Body Images, Jennifer Lee Muth

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present experiment examined the impact of presenting information about the Advantages of Attractiveness or the Limitations of Attractiveness on women's body image experiences. One hundred and thirty-eight college students completed a pretest packet containing measures that assess state and trait body-image evaluation and appearance-related psychological investment. One week later they listened to audiotapes containing research-supported information about either the Advantages of Attractiveness or the Limitations of Attractiveness. Afterward, participants completed the measures of mood, state body image, and quality of life, manipulation check questions, and a post experimental inquiry. As expected, highly invested participants had a poorer body image …

A Psychophysiological Assessment Of The Efficacy Of Event-Related Potentials And Electroencephalogram For Adaptive Task Allocation, Lawrence J. Prinzel Iii

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The present study was designed to test the efficacy of using Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) for making task allocations decisions. Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to an experimental, yoked, or control group condition. Under the experimental condition, a compensatory tracking task was switched between manual and automatic task modes based upon the participant's EEG. ERPs were also gathered to an auditory, oddball task. Participants in the yoked condition performed the same tasks under the exact sequence of task allocations that participants in the experimental group experienced. The control condition consisted of a random sequence of task allocations that …

The Influence Of Model Features On Goodness-Of-Fit Indices: Choosing Indices To Evaluate Your Model, Andrea E. Berndt

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Two studies were conducted to examine the performance of eight goodness-of-fit indices (i.e., the chi-square statistic, Comparative fit index, Critical N; Goodness-of-fit index, Normed fit index, Nonnormed fit index, Root mean square error of approximation, and Relative noncentrality index) used in structural equation applications. Study 1 consisted of (a) an empirical review in four journals (1986-1996) to determine the "typical" application, (b) a "recreation" of the goodness-of-fit indices from the published research, (c) a multiple regression analysis of the "recreated" indices to determine if values were predicted based on model and sample features, and (d) the development of a representative …

Factor Analysis Of The Mmpi-A Content Scales: Item-Level And Scale-Level Analyses, Lisa Kay Mccarthy

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This investigation identified and interpreted the overall factor structure of the MMPI-A content scales through the use of scale-level analyses, and examined the factor structure of each individual content scale through item-level analyses. The MMPI-A normative sample (805 males, 815 females) and a clinical sample (266 males, 92 females) were used in the analyses. Scale-level analyses yielded a two factor solution for the normative male and clinical groups and a one factor solution for the normative sample and normative female group. The factors were labeled General Maladjustment and Externalizing Tendencies. Item-level analyses provided one factor solutions for the majority of …

The Effect Of Ethanol And Hypoglycemia On Rat Performance In The Radial Arm Maze, Monica Ann Gaffney

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Both hypoglycemia (HG) and ethanol (ETH) intoxication can cause serious impairment in physiological and psychological functioning. Their combination could cause more severe cognitive impairment than either condition alone. This experiment investigated the effects of hypoglycemia, ethanol intoxication, and their combination on rat radial arm maze performance. Eleven male rats were trained to a stable, low error rate performance in achieving food rewards in an eight arm radial arm-maze. Rats were then given either insulin (2 units/kg) or saline in combination with ETH doses of 250, 500, 1000, or 1500 mg/kg 20 minutes prior to the maze run. Treatment order was …

Does Wisdom Really Come With Age?: Cognitive Differences Between Traditional And Nontraditional Aged College Women, Kelli Jean England

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Nontraditional aged (age 25 and over) college women outperform traditional aged (age 18-24) college women academically. This research reviewed areas of differences in the two groups and proposed that differences in two main areas contribute to performance: motivation and cognitive maturation. One hundred and twelve female traditional and nontraditional aged students completed Mehrabian's Achieving Tendency Scale (MATS), the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA), and the Learning Environment Preferences measure (LEP). Students were identified as traditional aged (18-24 years), younger nontraditional aged (25-31 years), and older nontraditional aged (& 32 years). Grade point average (GPA) was used as a measure of …

Analyzing The Effects Of Display Characteristics And Cognitive Variables On Performance Using Keystroke And Eye Movement Data, Orhan E. Beckman

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Information about how operators use their eyes while interacting with visual displays is often an overlooked aspect of human-computer interaction. Such information is fundamental to assessing the quality of software interfaces and understanding the cognitive processes that underlie operator behavior. Other research evaluating information displays evolved from using reaction time and subjective data as dependent variables to using oculometric measures. In the current research conventional performance measures are coupled with oculometric measures to evaluate the influence display characteristics and cognitive variables have on performance.

Twelve subjects used a software program to complete a series of specified tasks. Subjects were asked …

A Dictator's Errors, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

With this article, IBPP initiates a series written by Ismael Sambra Haber. Sambra has published poetry, short stories, literary criticism, and essays in both Cuban and international magazines and journals. He also has worked as a stage actor and as a consultant, screenwriter, actor, and director of Tele Turquino. Sambra has published Para Ti Mujer (For You, Woman), Coleccion Plegables, 1978; Las Cinco Plumas y la Luz del Sol (The Five Feathers and the Sun Light), Editorial Oriente, 1987; Para No Ser Leido en Recital (Not to be Read at a Poetry Reading or Recital), Editorial Oriente, 1991; and Remolino …

Trends. U.S. Foreign Policy And The People's Republic Of China: A Behaviorist Perspective, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

Re-posted from November 8, 1998 [IBPP, Vol. 1, No. 2] in the context of the most current controversies in United States (US)-People's Republic of China (PRC) relations, the editor discusses foreign policy as it relates to China through the lens of behavioral psychology.

Psychological Comments On The 20th Century's New Man And Utopia, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article employs psychological theory, empirical data, and experimental perspective to comment on the viability of 20th century communist and fascist quests for the New Man and Utopia.

The Political Psychology Of Balance, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes some political consequences of psychological balance theories.

Trends. Albright's Asia Society Speech: President Khatami's Reaction, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the interpretation by Western journalists of U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's June 17, 1998 speech to members of the Asia Society.

An Addition To The History Of Psychoanalysis: An Encounter Between Z.V. Togan And S. Freud, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article was submitted to IBPP by Dr. H.B. Paksoy concerning the historian Z. V. Togan. It is taken--with appropriate permission--from Z. V. Togan's Hatiralar (Memoirs) as translated by Dr. Paksoy and published in Paksoy's Central Asia Reader: The rediscovery of history. (NY/London: M.E. Sharpe, 1994). (Ed.). ISBN 1-56324-201-X (hardcover)/ISBN 1-56324-202-8 (paperback). Dr. Paksoy's translation was developed to preserve Togan's syntax. What follows is brief introductory material about Dr. Paksoy and Z.V. Togan, then the article entitled A Poem of Mother's and Freud, and finally a brief commentary by IBPP.

Trends. Abacha's Demise: Thoughts On Death In Life, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses whether or not the death of dictator and general Sani Abacha will lead to significant improvement for the lives of most Nigerians.

Social Construction Of Destabilization In Indonesia And Colombia: Recipe For Intelligence And Policy Failures, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes how social constructs can deleteriously affect the implementation of intelligence and policy programs in environments of political destabilization.