Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Long-Term Outcomes Of Chronic, Recreational Marijuana Use, Celia G. Imhoff

The Corinthian

As numerous variations of cannabis become increasingly legalized in the United States, a growing body of research is emerging that reveals the adverse effects of chronic, recreational, and long-term marijuana use on human mental, emotional, and social development, general cognition, and academic and career performance. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the nation and its potency continues to rise (Atkinson, 2016; Beaver, 2010; Gilman, 2015). Addiction scientists have found an association between chronic cannabis use and slowed neurocognitive function and information processing, measurable deficits in memory, learning, motivation, attention, persistent irritability, paranoia, insomnia, anxiety disorders, depression, general …

Sex Education In The United States: Implications For Sexual Health And Health Policy, Eliana R. Johnson

The Corinthian

There is much disagreement over what constitutes effective sex education in the United States. There are several reasons why America’s sex education system is outdated and problematic. First, it often advocates only for abstinence, which leaves people unprepared and unable to protect themselves if/when they choose to have sex, leading to higher rates of unintended pregnancies, abortions, and sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. than in any other developed nation in the world. In addition, the culture of fear surrounding sex education leads to negative attitudes among young people about sex. This can not only cause sexual dysfunction and strife …

Effect Of An Intervention To Improve Smoking Cessation Treatment In A Federally Qualified Healthcare Clinic, Shirley A. Camp

The Corinthian

Abstract

Significant progress has been made in the reduction of tobacco use in the United States, but the smoking prevalence among the socially and economically disadvantaged populations (i.e. individuals who are homeless, uninsured, LGBT, and living with HIV) is significantly higher than the general population (CDC, 2018b). As a result, these vulnerable populations carry a disproportionate burden of tobacco-related mortality and morbidity (CDC, 2018b). There is a cost-effective and evidence-based treatment for tobacco use dependence (Fiore et al, 2008), but the delivery by primary care providers to this population is inconsistent (Tyman, Bonevski, Paul, & Bryant, 2014). This study focused …

Does Bitcoin Use Affect Crime Rates?, Kevin Keane

The Corinthian

Bitcoin is the most widely used cryptocurrency in the world because of its decentralized network that completes user-to-user transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries. During 2017, the volume of Bitcoin transactions totaled $94.3 trillion. Bitcoin transactions are recorded in a public database called the blockchain. Although the blockchain can keep track of how many transactions there are, it can’t identify the people involved in transactions. The lack of identity increases the anonymity of Bitcoin transactions, making it less detectable when used for crime. Using the Uniform Crime Reporting’s state-level crime rate data and blockchain’s Bitcoin transaction information, I estimate the …

The Relationship Between Rock Climbing And Total Body Strength And Endurance, Madison Gamma, Alexa Bruce, Madison Massey, Ashlee Cordero

The Corinthian

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between muscular strength and endurance and time to complete a rock wall climb.

Methods: The researchers of this study tested 22 participants ranging from 19-25 years of age. An informed consent and a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ+) form were completed by each individual before being cleared to participate in this study. Data collection was completed on two separate days. On the first day, participants completed four fitness tests which consisted of a hand grip strength assessment, a 10-repetition maximum (RM) leg press, a flexed arm hang test, and …

Sex Work And Empowerment: Migrant Women Looking For Love, Breanna A. Harkins

The Corinthian

This paper will address the issues regarding consensual female sex work and whether this is a legitimate form of work or an appropriate lifestyle for women to hold. Research collected from various countries and cultures conclude that sexual labor is a common, but often underappreciated, means of income for women. In China, India, Ethiopia, and Hungary we see an intersection between the women interviewed and how their stories, while different, all lead towards a very similar conclusion and realization: female sex work is empowering.

Revealing The Face Of Islamophobia: A Critical Evaluation Of Western Feminism, Kelley Quinn

The Corinthian

This paper will dive into the various pharisaical views and practices by governments and cultures through an intersectional feminist lens. Throughout the world, cultures shape the definition of appropriate and expected dress, particularly for women. In previous years, the covering of woman’s hair and/or face was a systemic oppression forced on by a patriarchal government. These women have made efforts to reclaim this clothing by enforcing a choice to wear or to not wear the garment. Western Feminism, however, still views these women as oppressed and forces them to remove their covering, such as making it illegal to wear or …

The Republic Of Macedonia: Factors Of Economic Growth, Kevin J. Morris

The Corinthian

This article provides an analysis of the obstacles to economic growth faced by the Republic of Macedonia and provides policy recommendations to address these issues.

Margaret Chase Smith’S 1950 Declaration Of Conscience Senate Speech: A Stance Against The Exploitation Of Fear, Victoria E. Mcbrayer

The Corinthian

The article focuses on Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s speech she gave on the Senate floor on June 1, 1950. Her speech took place during the Cold War when tensions were high between the democratic United States and the communist Soviet Union. President Truman’s policy of containment and the anticommunist crusade taking place in the United States created an atmosphere of fear among Americans that politicians used to advance their careers. “Declaration of Conscience” was Senator Smith’s stance against the exploitation of fear for political gain and the first time someone spoke out against the corrupt Joseph McCarthy, whose slanderous witch …

Crossing The Aisle: A Neurological Analysis Of Political Polarities, Betsy Bartholf

The Corinthian

This is a synopsis of recent studies concerning the neurobiological developments of the adolescent brain, the functions of the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex, and the derived implications that the brain has in shaping political ideologies found post-pubescent. During this impressionable period of one’s life, it is crucial that skills such as empathy and compassion are stressed to help mold adolescents into capable adults with the ability to communicate and resolve conflict among each other. As a consequence of understanding these aforementioned brain regions and their responsibility for our problem-solving and personality traits, the political community may be able to …

Machiavelli: Prince Or Republic - An Examination Of The Theorist’S Two Most Famous Works, Sean Mcaleer

The Corinthian

In the modern era, Machiavelli’s reputation is controversial, with some readers appreciating his pragmatism and realistic, “modern” view of people, while others are uncomfortable with some of his harsher, more infamous phrases. Most of these opinions, however, are based on Machiavelli’s most read work The Prince, which is known for its deviation from similar works at the time. Far less well-known, Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy focuses on republican government and contains the theorist’s analysis of the famous Roman historian Livy’s history of the Roman Republic.

European Union Membership And Levels Of Corruption, Kevin J. Morris

The Corinthian

Recent accessions to the European Union (E.U.) membership have been met with protests as critics noted the widespread corruption still rampant in both recent and established member countries. Given the global ramifications of the debt crises in Italy, Spain, and Greece, determining the efficacy of the E.U. Accession Reforms and Membership Criteria on corruption reduction is vitally important. Using European and Central Asian country-level data from the World Bank’s Global Development and Global Indicator database regional-level fixed effects, I estimate the impact of EU membership on corruption levels and find that E.U. membership has a small, but significant impact on …

Se Habla Español: The Health Disparity Among The Latino Population, Karen Paz

The Corinthian

Latinos are considered the fastest growing and the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. It is estimated that by 2050, 24% of the U.S. population will be Latino. According to Census data, approximately 18% of the U.S. population age five or older speaks a language other than English at home, and current projections continue to show increases in U.S. immigrant and second-language groups nationwide. About half of that population self-reported that they speak English less than “very well.” Members of this population are referred to as individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). As the largest ethnic minority, 28 …

Effective Prison Management: An International Collaboration, Ariana Youmans

The Corinthian

There have been universal efforts to regulate the management of prisons via the United Nations; however, it is important to be aware of cultural differences when it comes to effective prison management. It is not only important to recognize cultural diversity in one’s own country, but it is also important to understand cultural diversity in other countries abroad. This understanding allows for greater understanding in regards to policy implementation and why certain processes and mandates are considered to be effective for these various systems. In addition, it should be realized that what works for one nation may not be applicable …

Jury Justice From The Classic Greeks, Andrew M. Whittaker

The Corinthian

Trial by jury is a constitutionally guaranteed right, and the concept of being judged by one’s peers is a foundational principle in Western society. It is assumed that criminal cases are best and most equitably decided by juries and general consensus is that a judicial case decided by a jury is inherently more acceptable than any alternative. With that said, the foundations for the modern Western judicial practice, like most other essential practices, rests in the Golden Age of Athens and Greece. While the chain of descent is long and varied, in Greece, one can find the first trace of …

The International Criminal Court, The United States, And What Next., Alexandria Russell

The Corinthian

The International Criminal Court was set up in order to dissuade state officials from participating in behaviors that are considered war crimes and crimes against humanity. The U.S. is a major super power but not a pivotal character in the ICC institution. This fact has had negative effects on U.S. international policy. This paper explores first what the ICC is and how it came to be, and then addresses the weaknesses of the institution, U.S. relations with the ICC and how they effect U.S. international relations, and finally what policy changes need to be made in order to make the …

Family Structure Choice: Taxation As An Incentive To Change, Aman Khanna

The Corinthian

Traditionally defined as the union of one man and one woman charged with the responsibility of rearing children, the notion of family now includes a variety of living arrangements including non-marital cohabitation and single parents. The current study investigates individual incentives to change family structure from a person’s original status as single. This conceptual research, which is grounded in theories of marriage, proposes that federal, personal income tax is an input to change in family structure. A model of family structure change and propositions of the relationship between the federal tax and family structure are developed.

The Relationship Between Children’S Birth Orders And Their Social Competence, Christina Borne, Kimberly Mears

The Corinthian

The significance of sibling ordinal position as a determinant of behavior has long been debated in both past and present literature. A correlation between behavior problems in firstborn children and male children has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between birth order and children’s social competence. Data of forty-three head start children with ages ranging from 3 to 5, collected by a larger study over 3 years, were used for analyses. Teachers of these children were given a Social Competence Behavior Evaluation to rate children’s social behaviors in the classrooms. Sibling data reported from …

The Effects Of Interpersonal And Informational Justice On Perceptions Of An Authority Figure, Kevin M. Schultze

The Corinthian

There are several traits and characteristics that people may use to judge an authority based on how that authority acts and treats those under him or her. However, are there times when an authority can influence his or her own reputation among subordinates simply by the type of task he or she provides, or the level of information he or she presents? Prior evidence has suggested that perceptions of authorities are influenced by a number of qualities. The purpose of this experiment was to test how the nature of a task and whether a rationale is provided for the task …

The Presence Of Divine Providence In The Absence Of “God”: The Role Of Providence, Fate, And Free Will In Tolkien Mythology, Christin Ivey

The Corinthian

Close examination of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic mythologically driven Faerie literature reveals an implicit allusion to Christian theology, undoubtedly deriving from Tolkien’s devote practice of Roman Catholicism. However, unlike his friend and counterpart C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien insisted on distancing his faerie mythos from any explicit Christian allegorical connotations. Yet theological themes regarding divine providence, fate, chance and free will consistently manifest within Tolkien’s literature, notably in The Silmarillion and his epic trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. In order to assimilate theology and mythology in a more universal manner, Tolkien turned to Boethius’s philosophy regarding the role of providence, …

Cell Phone Usage And Autonomy In College Students, Jonathon Lassiter, Jessica Hill, Kelli Fain, Kevin Lamb

The Corinthian

This study aimed to determine cell phone usage differences in dependency upon family and friends between upper division (3rd & 4th year undergraduates) and lower division (1st & 2nd year undergraduates) males and females. Subjects consisted of 270 students at a public liberal arts university in the southeastern United States. Participants in the study were administered an online survey that consisted of 31 questions assessing their cell phone usage. Cell phone usage in this study was defined as engaging in verbal communication on a cellular phone. Dependency was measured by the number of calls and length of calls one reportedly …

Assessing Observed Character Strengths In Groups Using Streamed Video And Video Ipods, Jonathan P. Floyd

The Corinthian

Positive psychology is a developing trend in modern psychological studies. Among the many facets of positive psychology are the values in action signature strengths, a collection of 24 positive attributes that are related to basic good character traits in all people. These strengths were recognized and researched as a way in which to cultivate good character through examining the positive side of individuals. The research examined the effectiveness of the values in action signature strengths survey as an evaluation tool to be used in group development activities.

A Study Of The Decision Of The Czech Republic To Join The European Union, Harold Conard Mock Iii

The Corinthian

Since its establishment as the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, the European Union has provided more than half a century of peace and prosperity to the continent. The people of the European Union have been guaranteed justice through strict adherence to democratic ideals and respect for human rights; economic stability through transition to a common currency, job creation, development of infrastructure, and fiscal globalization; environmental protection through rigorous membership credentials and legislative policy; and security through the formulation of a single, strong, powerful voice in world affairs. The initial members were Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the …

A Painless Tax Or Robin Hood Reversed? The Ethical Dilemmas Of State-Sponsored Lotteries, William Hatcher

The Corinthian

Over the last forty years, states and localities have been faced with the dilemma of how to raise sufficient revenue without upsetting great portions of the electorate with a tax increase. One manner by which they have dealt with this predicament is to institute state lotteries. New Hampshire started the trend in 1964 when it instituted a lottery system to supplement its dire revenue situation. New York and New Jersey soon followed suit by establishing their own lottery system. Today, thirty-nine states operate some type of lottery system. It definitely can be asserted that lotteries are the most widely accepted …

Aggression In Thinkers And Feelers, Adam Allen, Leah Beacham, Milkia Franklin, Jenna Graham, Amanda Higdon, Becky Littleton, Toni Pollard, Tiffany Sirmans

The Corinthian

This research team would like to elaborate on the aggressive tendencies of people and how they correlate with the personality types "Thinkers" and "Feelers." We are interested in whether aggression is more apparent in a Thinker or a Feeler. Our hypothesis is as follows: the personality type of Thinker is more aggressive than the personality type of Feeler.

Dual Users: Real Lessons From Reality Television, Windy Caviness, Christy Ennis, Kesha Evans, Paige Harrison, Brooke Houston, Diane Ivey, Stephen Kirkley, Adeline Manceau, Jill Mckinney, Kimbo Moore, Gabrielle Scandrett, April Whirley, John Thompson, Kristin Abbamonte, Allison Bunch, Liane Champagne, William Dickey, Jenn Koch, Katherine Mcconville

The Corinthian

This study attempts to understand the differences in activity among an emergent television/Internet audience. The Internet has provided a new entertainment opportunity for producers of television programming. Those television viewers who have also reached out to their favorite television show websites have resulted in a new audience. Examining the programming genre of reality television, two constructs were developed and a written survey administered to a convenience sample of college freshmen. The construct "dual users" was created to examine the television audience that also visits television programming websites. Single users (those that only watch the television show) were compared to the …

The Use Of Slogans In Political Rhetoric, Cail Newsome

The Corinthian

This paper focuses on the use of slogans within political rhetoric. The research focuses on the phrasing of the slogan, the connotation and association of the words used within them, and the motivational quality of slogans. Simply stated, this paper is a look into how and why political slogans are successful. The research is directed away from political slogans that are specifically created and used for campaign purposes and instead looks at the political slogans that are less vote-getting in orientation and have been used to shape public opinion or motivate a public action.

Reality Television Goes Interactive: The Big Brother Television Audience, Lisa Gandy, Lisa Mcchristian

The Corinthian

Reality television was taken to a new realm in the summer of 2000. Television audiences and Internet audiences were married through a voyeuristic, interactive experience. This study attempted to better understand the audience attracted to these interactive, realistic television shows. Utilizing previous studies on audience interactivity, a random telephone survey of Big Brother viewers was administered. Big Brother viewers that browsed the show's website before and after the show were demographically more likely to be younger, more educated, and own computers. Big Brother website visitors were significantly more likely to plan to watch the television show, eliminate distractions to that …

Emma Goldman And Birth Control: Honest Goals Or Ulterior Motives?, Nathan Moon

The Corinthian

Emma Goldman proved herself to be a powerful force on American society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For many years, the activist had the uncanny ability to seize the mass consciousness of America and never let go. Though she was often criticized, even reviled during her career as an anarchist, her reputation became rehabilitated over the years. Today, few people recall the "Red Emma" of long ago, a persona that many Americans scoffed at. Instead, she has become an icon and folk hero for many people, perhaps because the American public has finally seen and understood her …

Ethical Concerns Faced By Various Stakeholders Of The Natural Gas Industry In The Deregulation Environment, Michael A. Payne

The Corinthian

Deregulating the natural gas industry in Georgia and elsewhere has resulted in a "mixed bag" of beneficial and non-beneficial outcomes for industry stakeholders. The approach to deregulation has been varied and multifaceted; however, achieving the best overall outcome for the greatest number of stakeholders should not be the sole major objective. The American philosopher and psychologist William James argued best against the concept that the means in accomplishing an objective are more important than the end: "millions kept permanently happy" even though one single soul is left to "lead a life of lonely torture" is neither justified nor desirable (qtd. …