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Articles 3271 - 3300 of 11266

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

An Exploratory Factor Analysis Of Self-Reported State And Trait Guilt, Christina Lacerenza May 2012

An Exploratory Factor Analysis Of Self-Reported State And Trait Guilt, Christina Lacerenza

HIM 1990-2015

The construct of guilt has been a subject of debate among philosophers, theologians, sociologists and psychologists for centuries. Disagreements concerning guilt have emerged on the definitional level, measurement level, and conceptual level due to the various ways guilt can be experienced and interpreted. Researchers continue to empirically investigate various aspects of guilt in an effort to advance and refine our understanding of the construct; however, differences among researchers in assessing the impact of guilt on psychological well-being still exist. The purpose of this study is to investigate the internal factor structure of three prominent measures of guilt. This will enable …


Inequality As A Determinant Of Growth In A Panel Of High Income Countries, Joshua Mcguire May 2012

Inequality As A Determinant Of Growth In A Panel Of High Income Countries, Joshua Mcguire

HIM 1990-2015

This paper empirically examines the effect of income inequality on economic growth in a sample of 69 high income economies. It uses an improved inequality dataset developed by the World Institute for Development Economics Research and panel estimation techniques in an ordinary least squares regression. The results provide robust empirical evidence that rising levels of income inequality have adverse effects on growth in high income countries and indicate that, on average, a one standard deviation increase in income inequality will decrease growth by 67.91%. Results from the regression also suggest increases in human capital and international openness, decreases in the …


Determination Of The Biological Sex Of Juveniles Based Upon The Odontometrics Of The Primary Dentition, Kendall Mccollough May 2012

Determination Of The Biological Sex Of Juveniles Based Upon The Odontometrics Of The Primary Dentition, Kendall Mccollough

HIM 1990-2015

Sex determination in human skeletal remains is difficult under the most ideal circumstances; however, in juvenile skeletal remains it is nearly impossible. Currently no accepted techniques exist to identify the biological sex of the juvenile skeleton, other than, when possible, DNA. Thus, developing an accessible and non-destructive technique would benefit both the field of Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology. The ability to provide a quick and accurate determination of sex would greatly expedite the identification process in any case where juvenile skeletal remains are involved. This project aims to establish an accessible and non-destructive method for determining the sex of juvenile …


Suing Their Way Into The Newsroom How Women At The Detroit News Changed Journalism, Amanda Palmeira May 2012

Suing Their Way Into The Newsroom How Women At The Detroit News Changed Journalism, Amanda Palmeira

HIM 1990-2015

The women's liberation movement in the 1970s and 1980s utilized various means for activism and demonstrations, but women also used the judicial system to fight for equality in the workplace. This study focuses specifically on the field of journalism and how female reporters used the courts to fight the gender discrimination that was widespread and unbridled before the creation of legislation that outlawed it. The lawsuit filed by Mary Lou Butcher and approximately 90 other women against The Detroit News is one such case that exemplifies the process of filing a gender discrimination lawsuit, as well as the events that …


Health Care Providers' Perspectives On Male Involvement In Their Sexual And Reproductive Health Care Needs, Lilian Milanes May 2012

Health Care Providers' Perspectives On Male Involvement In Their Sexual And Reproductive Health Care Needs, Lilian Milanes

HIM 1990-2015

Young men are at the greatest risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within the U.S. male populations, yet are the least likely to make a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care visit. Clinical approaches in these areas that include the outreach to and the involvement of male partners of female patients can prove particularly useful in expanding SRH care to men and can also improve health outcomes for women who have sex with men. In this study I examined UCF's healthcare provider's approaches to educate and involve men (between the ages of 18 and 30) and male partners of …


Attitudes Towards Corporal Punishment As A Function Of Ethnicity And Gender, Nadine Richardson May 2012

Attitudes Towards Corporal Punishment As A Function Of Ethnicity And Gender, Nadine Richardson

HIM 1990-2015

This study explores the topic of corporal punishment and examines the degree to which young adults have been subjected to corporal punishment, their attitudes about corporal punishment, the likelihood of them using corporal punishment on their children, and their propensity towards violence. Among African American participants, I also examine the correlation between their attitudes toward corporal punishment and their levels of acculturation toward the dominant culture. I predict that African Americans will have been subject to Corporal Punishment more than White Americans. I hypothesized that participants who have been subjected to corporal punishment will have a higher propensity towards violence …


Perceptions Of The Consumption Of Sexually-Explicit Material As An Act Of Infidelity In The Context Of College Romantic Relationships And Their Connection To Population Variables, Diego Plaza May 2012

Perceptions Of The Consumption Of Sexually-Explicit Material As An Act Of Infidelity In The Context Of College Romantic Relationships And Their Connection To Population Variables, Diego Plaza

HIM 1990-2015

This study sought to examine whether individuals perceive the consumption (i.e., viewing) of sexually-explicit material (SEM) as an act of infidelity. The study also looked into whether ethnicity, sexual orientation, religiosity, self-esteem, and femininity/masculinity influence this opinion. As an extension of the study, the participants' susceptibility for jealousy, general attitudes toward infidelity, attitudes toward SEM, opinion toward sexuality, and fear of abandonment were also analyzed. Social desirability was also used to find people's tendency to give socially desirable answers to questions related to sexuality. A statistical analysis of the study's results showed that religiosity significantly predicted opinions toward SEM as …


A Cup Of Tea A Study Of The Tea Party Caucus In The United States House Of Representatives, Stephen Phillips May 2012

A Cup Of Tea A Study Of The Tea Party Caucus In The United States House Of Representatives, Stephen Phillips

HIM 1990-2015

Over the course of the last few years, a new movement has taken the American political system by storm, the Tea Party. The movement has not only captivated our media but also the minds of ordinary Americans and political elites. According to popular consensus and academic opinion, the Tea Party is comprised of a group of conservative-leaning Republicans who want a smaller government and a lesser tax burden. This is what we think of the Tea Party, but is it true? It is perceived that Tea Party members differ significantly from their Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives, but …


The Effects Of Sports Team Allegiance On Jurors' Perceptions Of A Defendant, Andrea Ranieri May 2012

The Effects Of Sports Team Allegiance On Jurors' Perceptions Of A Defendant, Andrea Ranieri

HIM 1990-2015

This study examined the relationship between levels of sports team identification and sentence leniency. It was hypothesized that sharing the same sports team affiliation with the defendant would create bias in the form of juror leniency, and that highly identified fans would show more bias than lower identified fans. A case description of a hit and run accident, in which the defendant was described as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, was read by 220 participants. Results showed a significant difference in recommended sentence length and levels of sympathy between the three groups (High Identity, Low Identity, & No Identity). However, …


Immigration Law And Enforcement The Role Of States And Local Authorities, Yisell Rodriguez May 2012

Immigration Law And Enforcement The Role Of States And Local Authorities, Yisell Rodriguez

HIM 1990-2015

Immigration law and its enforcement are controversial and highly debated topics. States are increasing their role in the enforcement of immigration law by enacting laws that allow local law enforcement to function as immigration officers with the intent of decreasing the illegal alien population within their jurisdiction. The primary focus of this thesis is to determine whether state and local police have the legal power to enforce immigration laws that have been the jurisdiction of the Federal Government for decades. There are two sides that are discussed in this thesis, the proponents who are in favor of increased participation and …


Tracking Error Of Leveraged And Inverse Etfs, John Romano May 2012

Tracking Error Of Leveraged And Inverse Etfs, John Romano

HIM 1990-2015

Tracking ability of leveraged and inverse exchange traded funds can be very important to investors looking for a dependable return. If the investor wants to put their money on a certain index they feel strongly about, they expect their investment vehicle to track that return appropriately. Over the years, we have seen tremendous growth in the exchange traded fund industry. In 2006, leveraged and inverse funds were introduced to the market, allowing investors to take leveraged and directional trades on indices. These investment vehicles can be traded as easily as any stock, and therefore need some attention. Since any novice …


An Examination Of The History And Effect Of American Sex Offense Laws And Offender Registration, David Shabat-Love May 2012

An Examination Of The History And Effect Of American Sex Offense Laws And Offender Registration, David Shabat-Love

HIM 1990-2015

America's Sex Offense statutes and cases are some of the most controversial sections of modern law, both for the extreme sensitivity of their subject matter as well as the scope and application of those laws. This thesis is an analysis and overview of both the objective and subjective issues posed by the current state of those very laws: the subjective portion explored the development of current laws and the diverse attendant legal issues such as over-broadness and excessive or misdirected effect as compared to the Legislative and public intent which directly led to the development of these laws. Additionally a …


Medicate To Execute Constitutional And Ethical Considerations, Adam Schultz May 2012

Medicate To Execute Constitutional And Ethical Considerations, Adam Schultz

HIM 1990-2015

The United States Supreme Court has not yet examined several aspects of the death penalty. One aspect is the ability for the state to forcefully medicate an incompetent inmate, which may result in the inmate appearing competent for execution. While the Supreme Court' ruled that it is unconstitutional to execute an inmate who is incompetent, inmates who would have had their executions vacated due to mental illness are executed because the state can put them on an involuntary medication regimen. According to many experts, involuntary medication regimens mask the affects of their illness instead of providing a cure. Experts often …


Finding The Dominant Characteristics That Contribute To Effectively Implementing Best Practices In Primary Inclusion Classrooms Using The Inclusive Classroom Profile (Icp), Marilyn Romero May 2012

Finding The Dominant Characteristics That Contribute To Effectively Implementing Best Practices In Primary Inclusion Classrooms Using The Inclusive Classroom Profile (Icp), Marilyn Romero

HIM 1990-2015

In 1997, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was amended to emphasize the need for students with disabilities to have access to the general curriculum. Along with IDEA, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), emphasized that all children must have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education (Sec. 1001, Part A, Title 1 of ESEA; 20U.S.C. 6301) increasing the need for effective inclusion classrooms in schools around the country. This study evaluated six inclusive classrooms (three partial and three full) from a large metropolitan school district in Florida. The classrooms' best practices were assessed using the …


What Do You Think Of Others Who Pursue Cosmetic Surgery? Influences Associated With Perceptions Of Cosmetic Surgery, Angela Vergara May 2012

What Do You Think Of Others Who Pursue Cosmetic Surgery? Influences Associated With Perceptions Of Cosmetic Surgery, Angela Vergara

HIM 1990-2015

In the current climate in which it seems like popular media determines normality, it is not surprising to find that reality television, especially programs geared towards elective cosmetic surgery, are correlated with the decision making processes associated with actually pursuing cosmetic surgery. Research suggests that attitudes towards cosmetic surgery have changed dramatically due to the public's exposure to reality makeover shows; these shows have increased the popularity of such procedures and have highlighted and implied that cosmetic surgery is associated with little pain and risk. In this study, I sought to determine if attitudes toward cosmetic surgery vary as a …


Cognitive Theory A Qualitative Comparison Of The George W. Bush Administration And The Barack H.Obama Administration, Shelley Urbanovich May 2012

Cognitive Theory A Qualitative Comparison Of The George W. Bush Administration And The Barack H.Obama Administration, Shelley Urbanovich

HIM 1990-2015

Although Republicans and Democrats frequently disagree ideologically, the leaders of both parties share one commonality in particular--they inevitably make flawed judgments. To adequately understand the extent to which psychological filters act as a fundamental factor in decision making, this thesis shall analyze current political events and observe how partisans within both administrations deal with information incompatible with their own values and beliefs. Specifically referencing the war in Iraq, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), civil unrest, national security, the national economic climate, and the housing market, this study examines the way leaders deal differently with conflicting information. Although all subjects in …


The Duality Of Florida's Criminal Pretrial Diversion Programs A Separate Treatment Court For Veterans, David Vanzandt May 2012

The Duality Of Florida's Criminal Pretrial Diversion Programs A Separate Treatment Court For Veterans, David Vanzandt

HIM 1990-2015

This thesis examines two issues facing Florida's young and fledgling Veteran Treatment Courts. First is whether or not a separate hybrid court of already existing mental health and drug courts is needed exclusively for veterans; and second, funding and efficiency of such courts as compared to traditional criminal institutions.


Economic Institutional Change In Bolivia And Peru A Discursive Institutionalist Approach, Ryan Whittingham May 2012

Economic Institutional Change In Bolivia And Peru A Discursive Institutionalist Approach, Ryan Whittingham

HIM 1990-2015

Since the turn of the twenty-first century, a number of Latin American countries have undergone a marked shift to the left in their politics. With this, a number of Latin American countries have been pursuing economic policies that give a greater role for the state in economic affairs. Hugo Chavez has promised to build "twenty-first century socialism" in Venezuela, while Bolivia's Evo Morales often attacks the "neoliberalism" that previously guided economic reform in that country. This thesis investigates these economic institutional changes through a discursive institutionalist perspective, focusing on two Latin American countries: Bolivia and Peru. The goal is to …


Degrees Of Causality An Assessment Of Endogenous Contributors To Instability In Jordan, Syria, & Turkey, Gabriel Wilman May 2012

Degrees Of Causality An Assessment Of Endogenous Contributors To Instability In Jordan, Syria, & Turkey, Gabriel Wilman

HIM 1990-2015

The political instability of the Middle East is often perceived to be derived primarily from the interaction of Middle Eastern nations with external forces; with significant emphasis placed upon the disruptive effects of modern colonialism and Westernization. While this study does not seek to directly contest the catalytic primacy of exogenous factors, it does seek to establish the necessary causality of pre-existing internal factors. Rather than approaching the situation from a linear causal perspective, this assessment is oriented around an interdisciplinary examination of confluent factors. By examining the political history, ethno sociology, and economy of the region, the analysis investigates …


The Weak Registry The Constitutionality And Effectiveness Of Legal Restrictions On Convicted Sex Offenders, Andrea-Li Medina May 2012

The Weak Registry The Constitutionality And Effectiveness Of Legal Restrictions On Convicted Sex Offenders, Andrea-Li Medina

HIM 1990-2015

Over the last few decades our society has moved towards restricting where sexual offenders can live, work, and overall congregate. This issue has been the focus of great public attention due to the media's role in bringing these offenders to the light. Whether it is through the news, movies, TV series, books, talk shows, newspapers articles, etc., these offenders are constantly being talked about. Every body of government in the United States has moved towards implementing restrictions that are aimed at keeping sex offenders away from places where they are considered a potential danger. However, what it is not talked …


Sacred Changes On Campus The Effects Of Higher Educational Experience On Religiosity And Spirituality, And Resolving Cognitive Dissonance, Shawn Gaulden May 2012

Sacred Changes On Campus The Effects Of Higher Educational Experience On Religiosity And Spirituality, And Resolving Cognitive Dissonance, Shawn Gaulden

HIM 1990-2015

Changes in religious and spiritual trends over the past few decades are contradicting previously held assumptions in academia pertaining to personal religious and spiritual definitions, identities and how these religious and spiritual identities are affected by higher educational attainment. In addition, there is limited research on how students may resolve cognitive dissonance if it develops due to discrepancies between their college experiences and their personal spiritual or religious convictions. The intent of this thesis is to explore the effects of college experience and higher educational attainment on students' religious and spiritual identities; to explore the growing trend to identify as …


Examining Crowd Violence Connected To Sport Applying The Hooligan Template, Kelly Worthen May 2012

Examining Crowd Violence Connected To Sport Applying The Hooligan Template, Kelly Worthen

HIM 1990-2015

The aim of the research is to evaluate crowd violence as it pertains to sports and its spectators. In particular, the research examines sports riots. "A sports riot is defined as violence-vandalism, throwing/shooting missiles, rushing the field or court, committing arson, and/or fighting- committed by five or more individuals in a crowd of one hundred people associated with a formally organized sporting event" (Lewis, 2007). On a micro level, the most prevalent form of spectator violence is the act of Hooliganism in relation to football (soccer). The research on this aggression has been primarily inherent in Europe and South and …


I'M Every Woman College Women's Perceptions Of "Real Women" In Print Advertisements, Marie Gualtieri May 2012

I'M Every Woman College Women's Perceptions Of "Real Women" In Print Advertisements, Marie Gualtieri

HIM 1990-2015

In the American capitalist society, the media is often an agent used to perpetuate ideals and to inform consumers of products that they can purchase by using multiple advertising techniques. In an attempt to counter the thin body ideal for women, some companies have begun advertising their products by using plus size models, such as the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. The purpose of this research is to examine college women's perceptions of the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, an advertising campaign whose goal is to reverse the stereotypical body ideal for women and broaden the definition of beauty. Some …


Summitt, Richard C. Crepeau Apr 2012

Summitt, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

From across the nation, from the world of basketball and the world of sport, the reaction to Pat Summitt relinquishing her position as head basketball coach at the University of Tennessee has been overwhelming in praise, admiration, and volume. Those who played for Summitt talked of the tremendous impact that she had on their lives, praising her as a coach and human being, often referring to her as a mother-figure. Those who knew her in other capacities talked about her strength in the face of adversity. This quality distinguished Pat Summitt throughout her career and not just in the past …


Marchmad, Richard C. Crepeau Mar 2012

Marchmad, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

For the past six weeks if you were around anything even vaguely connected with college sport, you were subjected to repeated references to “March Madness.” The only phrase that even remotely approaches “March Madness” in frequency of use is “student athlete.” If you prefer hyperbole over hypocrisy then, no doubt, you prefer “March Madness” over “student athlete.”


Bounties, Richard C. Crepeau Mar 2012

Bounties, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

The shocking news out of the NFL this past week was that football is a violent game and that violence is encouraged by coaches. I suspect most American boys learned this basic truth about football when they were six or seven years old.


Braun, Richard C. Crepeau Mar 2012

Braun, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

From the time the story was leaked in early December, I had a feeling that Ryan Braun was going to be the first player to successfully appeal a positive drug test. I based this on two notions. First, someone sometime was going to be the victim of a false positive or some breach in the security of the urine sample. Second, I had a difficult time believing that someone of Braun’s obvious talent and public image, who did not exhibit a huge jump in his offensive numbers, was taking performance enhancing drugs. In most of the power categories (doubles, triples, …


Bcs, Richard C. Crepeau Jan 2012

Bcs, Richard C. Crepeau

On Sport and Society

The Alabama Crimson Tide football team is now officially the BCS National Field Goal Champion. This was achieved despite the fact that the Tide did score a touchdown in the waning moments of the game and then watched their kicker miss the extra point. The Alabama coach, Nick Saban, must have been quite proud of this achievement, as it obliterated the loss to LSU in the Field Goal contest of November to determine which team was number one in the nation at that point in the season.


The Relationship Between Nonprofit Capacity Building, Organizational Learning And Organizational Effectiveness: A Case Study Of Strengthening Communities Fund Program In Central Florida, M L. Broxton Jan 2012

The Relationship Between Nonprofit Capacity Building, Organizational Learning And Organizational Effectiveness: A Case Study Of Strengthening Communities Fund Program In Central Florida, M L. Broxton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nonprofit capacity building programs and program activities positively influence perceived organizational effectiveness. Being able to link nonprofit capacity building to organizational effectiveness is a paramount concern for both nonprofits seeking capacity building programming and those entities, be it foundations or government that fund capacity building initiatives and programs. Therefore being able to link nonprofit capacity building to organizational effectiveness and higher performance is crucial to ensure that both nonprofit organizations and funders continue to pursue and support capacity building programming. Through an examination of the developing hollow state and the resulting nonprofit capacity disparity this study demonstrates the purposeful need …


Implementing Sustainability Initiatives: A Study Of U.S. Local Governments, Nick Lebredo Jan 2012

Implementing Sustainability Initiatives: A Study Of U.S. Local Governments, Nick Lebredo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability has been framed by the World Commission on Environment and Development as a fundamental concept in human society and by Fiorino (2010) as a critical conceptual focus for public administration over the next decade. A large number of U.S. local governments have implemented sustainability initiatives. Nevertheless, relatively few studies have comprehensively examined sustainability implementation by local governments. This study makes a concerted effort to examine sustainability implementation in U.S. local governments, which have taken the lead in many areas of sustainability. This study also develops a capacity building model to empirically evaluate how organizational strategies and capacities influence sustainability …