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Articles 1 - 22 of 22

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Biases Toward Defendants In Joint Criminal Trials, Catherine J. Korda Jan 2001

Biases Toward Defendants In Joint Criminal Trials, Catherine J. Korda

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Under the Criminal Code Compilation Act 1913 (WA), any number of individuals may be joined as co-defendants in a single trial, fanning a situation known as a joint trial. The charge/s against each defendant are considered separately and given a separate verdict by the jury. There is considerable debate in the legal arena as to the utility of joint trials, although to date little empirical research exists to substantiate any of the claims made. The present study aimed to contribute to the sparse knowledge base on joint trials by examining the impact of evidence strength on juror decision making in …


An Investigation Into The Use Of The Internet For Medical Informatics, Patricia A. Williams Jan 2001

An Investigation Into The Use Of The Internet For Medical Informatics, Patricia A. Williams

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The rapid evolution and popularity of the Internet technologies, and the World Wide Web, have resulted in unrestricted worldwide access to medical and health information. This has provided the medical profession with the ability to access up to date research more immediately than by traditional means, and has created the potential for advanced information collation. Also the availability of medical literature, previously difficult to obtain for the general public, is having an effect that is both a benefit and a burden to the medical profession. Whilst benefits exist in the use of the Internet in General Practice for clinical support, …


History, Culture And Alcohol: Drinking Patterns In Poland And Australia, Barbara Wolska Jan 2001

History, Culture And Alcohol: Drinking Patterns In Poland And Australia, Barbara Wolska

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is a widely held view in Poland that for centuries those in power have promoted heavy drinking among their subjects in order to achieve their various goals and that this contributed to the development of Polish drinking patterns. There is some empirical evidence that the political economy of alcohol in Poland promoted heavy drinking among the Polish population. Drinking alcohol in Poland was an important aspect of social situations. The most popular beverage was vodka(s). Social pressure to drink in the extreme was attributed to the tradition of hospitality. Cultural norms encouraged very heavy drinking among men and imposed …


In Search Of A Conceptualisation Of The Term 'Community' In Metropolitan Perth, Andria W. Green Jan 2001

In Search Of A Conceptualisation Of The Term 'Community' In Metropolitan Perth, Andria W. Green

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Communities arc dynamic, historically determined, and complex, and the topic itself has concerned social scientists for some time (Durkhcim, 1964, Weisenfeld, 1996). However, there has been an intrinsic problem in previous research arising from the ambiguity of the concept of the term 'community' itself, specifically the contradictions concerning its essential meaning. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are other ways of thinking about community without taking on any unwanted connotations of previous conceptualisations from past research. The research was based on the social constructivist paradigm and qualitative methodology was employed. Conceptualisations of the term community were …


The Role Of Lorikeet Clubhouse In Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Michelle Smith Jan 2001

The Role Of Lorikeet Clubhouse In Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Michelle Smith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Previous studies have suggested that participation in psychosocial support groups such as the Foundation House (Clubhouse) model have psychological benefits for patients with major mental disorders. In this research, 47 members of the Lorikeet Clubhouse in Shenton Park, WA completed the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Level of Expressed Emotion Scale and the Coping Scale for Adults to investigate whether differences existed between active and inactive Clubhouse members. Analyses of variance found no group differences on these measures, although trends in the data suggest that Clubhouse participation have a protective effect for members who report high levels of expressed emotion (EE) …


Effects Of Synchronous Chat-Based On-Line Cognitive Behavior Therapy On Study Related Anxiety And Behavior, Anoushka Rassau Jan 2001

Effects Of Synchronous Chat-Based On-Line Cognitive Behavior Therapy On Study Related Anxiety And Behavior, Anoushka Rassau

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Very little research is currently available about therapy conducted in chat-based Internet environments. Most of the existing research concerns therapy delivered via email or on-line support groups. For this reason, this review first presents an overview of literature concerning practical issues relevant to Internet-based therapy in general and then presents a review of the research that is available regarding therapy provided in chat-based Internet environments. The literature reviewed in this paper has been obtained from several on-line databases and Internet search engines. The available research on chat-based therapy has produced mainly anecdotal or inconclusive results. There is a need for …


Farm Tourism In The South West Tapestry Region, Western Australia : Experiences Of Hosts And Guests, Gloria Ingram Jan 2001

Farm Tourism In The South West Tapestry Region, Western Australia : Experiences Of Hosts And Guests, Gloria Ingram

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis describes a research project in the South West Tapestry Region of Western Australia which uses phenomenological method to investigate the experiences of farm tourism hosts and guests. The overall aim of the research was to identify motivations of both hosts and guests in order to determine to what degree farm tourism in the SWTR provides the kind of holiday experience people are seeking. Phenomenology was chosen as a flexible yet rigorous methodology for researching lived experience, which would enable an in-depth understanding of motivations surrounding hosting farm tourism and choosing a farm tourism holiday. The initial stage of …


Acculturative Stress Appraisal And Acculturation Attitudes, Thomas Wojcicki Jan 2001

Acculturative Stress Appraisal And Acculturation Attitudes, Thomas Wojcicki

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Part One : The term acculturation describes an array of cultural changes that occur when culturally different groups come into continuous, first hand contact (Redfield, Linton, & Herskovits, 1936). Acculturative stress describes a multitude of psychological or social problems that are often encountered by individuals experiencing acculturation (Berry, 1994). This article reviews the empirical literature on acculturation and factors influencing the outcomes of the acculturation experience from the perspective of the research framework proposed by Berry (1974, 1984, 1987, 1989, 1990). Methodological issues relevant to advancing this area of research are also addressed. In particular the influence of attitudes to …


The Influences Of Parent-Child Affectional Bonding And Self-Esteem On Fear Of Intimacy In Young Adults, Hendrik Janong Jan 2001

The Influences Of Parent-Child Affectional Bonding And Self-Esteem On Fear Of Intimacy In Young Adults, Hendrik Janong

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Fear of intimacy has been reported as one of the most significant problems experienced by adults in their relationships (Bartholomew, 1990 ; Descutner & Thelen, 1991; Lutwak, 1985). It has also been argued that individuals' perceptions of their relationship with their parents in the past and their level of self-esteem cam also significantly influence their fear of intimacy. This present study was conducted to examine the relationship between parent-child affectional bonding, self-esteem, and fear of intimacy in young adults. Male and female undergraduate students from Edith Cowan University aged 19-25 years, were given the Parental Nurturance Scale (PNS), Self-Esteem Rating …


Sentencing Decisions : The Public View Of The Effects Of Consequences Of Crime, Offender Remorse And Type Of Crime, Jodie S. Wright Jan 2001

Sentencing Decisions : The Public View Of The Effects Of Consequences Of Crime, Offender Remorse And Type Of Crime, Jodie S. Wright

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Australian justice system is based in a conventional model of justice with the aim of uniformity in sentencing. It is important to ascertain public opinion on the relevance of different factors to be taken into account at sentencing as accurately as possible, in order to provide informed public opinion which may assist policy makers in making legislation or educating the public on these matters. The current study examined the impact of varying levels of victim harm (high or low) and offender remorse (high or low) for both person and property crimes on sentencing decisions made by both male (n …


Variables Predictive Of Assessment And Treatment Outcome In Adult Sex Offenders In Western Australia, Gail Della Torre Jan 2001

Variables Predictive Of Assessment And Treatment Outcome In Adult Sex Offenders In Western Australia, Gail Della Torre

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This exploratory study examines differences between a) sex offenders who entered treatment (N = 117) and those who did not enter treatment (N =51), and b) sex offenders who completed treatment successfully (N = 83) and those who did not complete successfully (N = 22), The two samples were derived from a total sample pool of 199 adult male sex offenders who were sentenced in Western Australia in 1995 and assessed for treatment suitability by the Sex Offender Treatment Unit (SOTU). Logistic regression was used to determine which variables would best predict a) entry into treatment, and b) treatment Success. …


The History And Development Of The Education And Training Of Library Technicians In Australia, Christine E. Hart Jan 2001

The History And Development Of The Education And Training Of Library Technicians In Australia, Christine E. Hart

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The history and development of the education and training of library Technicians in Australia is currently recorded in the literature in a piecemeal und uncoordinated manner. The aim of this research is to provide a current and coherent account of the history and development of courses, examine the role of major stakeholders and identify the major issues that have accompanied the evolution of education and training for paraprofessional library staff. A comprehensive chronicle of the education and training of library technicians will contribute to the research and literature of Library and information science in Australia. The research will examine: • …


Behavioural Problems Of Children In Foster Care As Affected By Attachment To And Visitation With Biological Parents, Ellen Loorits Jan 2001

Behavioural Problems Of Children In Foster Care As Affected By Attachment To And Visitation With Biological Parents, Ellen Loorits

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The following paper examines the literature on attachment and children in foster care to form the foundation for a study of the effects of attachment and visitation on the behavioural problems of these children. It begins with an overview of the area of attachment, focusing on the work of Bowlby, Ainsworth, and Main. Cicchetti and colleagues extensive research on attachment in maltreated school aged children is reviewed. The mental health imp1ications for maltreated children are discussed. The section on foster care gives an overview of the area including demographics and practices. Attachment theory has led to development of current practices …


Can Regional Community Web Portals Become Sustainable? : The Albany Gateway : A Case Study, Gillian Sellar Jan 2001

Can Regional Community Web Portals Become Sustainable? : The Albany Gateway : A Case Study, Gillian Sellar

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Asking the question "can regional and community web portals become sustainable?" demands a foray into many different disciplines. Sociology, education, business, strategic and knowledge management, organisational theory, relationship management and current technological trends and capabilities are some of the areas on which community projects, such us the development of communities on-line, are founded.


Imagineering The Community: The Vagrant Spaces Of The Malls, Enclave Estates, The Filmic And The Televisual, Dennis Wood Jan 2001

Imagineering The Community: The Vagrant Spaces Of The Malls, Enclave Estates, The Filmic And The Televisual, Dennis Wood

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The idea of 'community' is an all pervasive and persuasive notion within society. But it is an elastic concept used by diverse groups and institutions to rally people to a cause or to reassure the public in times of (perceived) calamity. Of late the various forms of the media and certain elements of society have been focussing their attention on the 'breakdown of community' values citing the (perceived) rise in crime, the (supposed) fragmentation of the family and the (hypothetical) loss of respect for authority and authority figures as contributing to an ailing communal sensibility. However, as Anderson (1983) has …


Principles In Public Reasoning About Criminal Justice : Victim Vulnerability, Trust, And Offender Status, Dianne R. Mckillop Jan 2001

Principles In Public Reasoning About Criminal Justice : Victim Vulnerability, Trust, And Offender Status, Dianne R. Mckillop

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is popularly assumed that the public is highly punitive toward criminal offenders and that its reasoning about criminal offences is emotionally and morally based. This assumption has been challenged by social scientists who cite influences of news media and methodological flaws in empirical studies as contributing causes. Public sentiment is a basis for law and the increasing responsiveness of legislator to what is perceived to be public opinion on crime means that accurate information on enduring principles in the public's intuitive reasoning about criminal justice is vital. An initial exploratory study (N = 34) presented members of the public …


The Influence Of Male Gender Role Conflict On Life Satisfaction, Tracey Hancock Jan 2001

The Influence Of Male Gender Role Conflict On Life Satisfaction, Tracey Hancock

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study examined the relationship between male gender role conflict and life satisfaction, once the effects of both psychological symptoms and recent traumatic life events were accounted for. The study comprised 100 male participants, 50 from a clinical sample and 50 from a non-clinical sample. Participants were aged between 19 and 70. Participants were asked to complete 4 questionnaires: the Gender Role Conflict Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Life Events Questionnaire. Results were obtained using standard and multiple regression analyses. Gender role conflict was found to impact on life satisfaction for both …


Monday Morning And The Millennium : Cultural Studies, Scepticism And The Concept Of Power, Mark Gibson Jan 2001

Monday Morning And The Millennium : Cultural Studies, Scepticism And The Concept Of Power, Mark Gibson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The thesis examines the use or the concept of power in cultural studies, offering a revisionist perspective on the history or this use. The dominant approach to questions or power in the field, it is argued, is a 'rationalist' one: the various phenomena comprehended under the concept are conceived ultimately as instances or the one phenomenon. This approach implies that positions in relation to power share a common referent allowing them to be assessed according to general criteria of 'correctness' or theoretical adequacy. It also allows developments in debates around power to be represented in terms or a narrative or …


To Release Or Not To Release That Is The Question: A Phenomenological Study Of Western Australian Government Freedom Of Information Coordinators, Graham Harnwell Jan 2001

To Release Or Not To Release That Is The Question: A Phenomenological Study Of Western Australian Government Freedom Of Information Coordinators, Graham Harnwell

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study explores the issues that impact on Western Australian State Government Freedom of Information Coordinators who, within the framework of the Freedom of Information Act (1992), manage requests from the public to access agency held documents. A literature review identified two bodies of material. One extolling FOI, the other arguing that some agency personnel have not accepted, and are actively resisting, the concept of FOI. Using a phenomenological approach, eight Coordinators narrated the issues that impact on their roles and decision-making processes. Themes were identified, analysed and reported in the context of the broader FOI environment. This research found …


Internet Content Control In Australia : Data Topology, Topography And The Data Deficit, David Harte Jan 2001

Internet Content Control In Australia : Data Topology, Topography And The Data Deficit, David Harte

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The success of the online adult industry has provoked a public policy controversy over the need for internet censorship, and in recent times there has emerged desire to protect minors from possibly unsuitable content. On January 1st 2000, the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Act (Cwlth, 1999) (BSA) was proclaimed. The Act purports to regulate and control Internet content in Australia. Operating in tandem with the Act is the Internet Industry Association Code of Practice, giving Australia a co-regulatory approach to Internet content control. The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) is charged with implementing the regime. This study sets out examine …


Girls Playing Netball : Factors Influencing Participation In Community Sport During A Transition Phase, Suzanne Sharp Jan 2001

Girls Playing Netball : Factors Influencing Participation In Community Sport During A Transition Phase, Suzanne Sharp

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study describes the influences on continued sporting participation in netball for a group of adolescent girls as they make the transition from primary to secondary school and between sub-junior and junior sporting structures. A qualitative research design using one to one and semi structured focus group interviews was applied. The research describes how these meanings and identities both influence decisions about ongoing sporting participation and are influenced by situations, events and people as the participants move from primary to secondary school. Individual and focus group interview and survey data, indicate that for this group of young adolescent girls a …


The Social Construction Of Fatherhood, Helen Le Gresley Jan 2001

The Social Construction Of Fatherhood, Helen Le Gresley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The present research sought to explore the lived experience of fatherhood guided by a social constructionist perspective and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological framework (1977, 1989), by collaborating with seven Western Australian fathers on a series of multiple case conversational interviews. To ensure that the data generated from the interviews was manageable and the aims and objectives of research could be effectively facilitated by the researcher, only those fathers belonging to specific cohort, that is, fathers in an intact heterosexual, defacto or marital relationship, were sampled. The interviews were transcribed and a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted on the data. The multiple case …