Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Why Musical Groove Makes Us Move: An Electroencephalographic Investigation, Samantha Reina O'Connell

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Moving to the groove of the music is a phenomenal and universal human behavior. Common characteristics to most dance music include a salient beat, rhythmic complexity, and a dynamic musical structure. What is unknown, however, is why music has the power to promote physical movement. Musical rhythm and motor processing are tightly linked activating brain areas important for motor preparation and execution. While studies demonstrate that the motor system is active during beat processing, it is still unclear how musical groove, a beat-influenced quality to music that makes us want to move, can engage these motor areas. Here, I performed …

Case Study: Armenian And Cuban Ethnic Interest Groups In American Foreign Policy, Harry H. Terzian

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Current academic research has moved away from comparative models as a mechanism by which to assess and understand socio-political as well as historical phenomena. In addition, comparative analysis when it comes to addressing ethnic lobbies is almost nonexistent within contemporary research. This work implements a comparative framework and as a result has unlocked a new approach when addressing ethnic advocacy organizations. The purpose of this research is to assess and document the history and impact of both Armenian and Cuban ethnic interest groups within the United States. Specifically, focusing upon the Armenian National Committee of America and the Cuban American …

Novice Versus Expert Algebraic Problem-Solving Strategies: An Eye Tracking Approach, Krystal Kamekona-Mendoza

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Algebra continues to be an important point along the educational spectrum. It is often the point at which we see a deviation of educational trajectories for those who are interested in pursuing additional math and science courses and those who are not. Understanding how college algebra students perform is a crucial step in further understanding the difficulties that students often encounter, as well as understanding other potential factors that may contribute to their performance. The novice/expert paradigm is one way to examine performance differences. While existing literature indicates that novices and experts perceive, sort, and solve problems differently across a …

How Instruction, Math Anxiety, And Math Achievement Affect Learning A Novel Math Task: Evidence For Better Instruction, Amy Jane Mcauley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The primary goal of this paper is to test how math anxiety, achievement, and instruction affect learning a novel math task. Currently, most research measures achievement and math anxiety on previously learned tasks. A two-part study was proposed to measure the effects of math anxiety on learning modular arithmetic (MA), a novel math task that involves subtraction and division. Participants of varying degrees of anxiety and achievement were randomly assigned to either a specific or vague instruction condition. Participants were either taught how to solve the task or given minimal information about how to solve the task. Before moving on, …

The Influence Of Opponent Strategy And Psychopathic Traits On Point Gains And Cooperation In The Iterated Prisoner’S Dilemma, Mary Baggio

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Prisoner’s Dilemma game is a paradigm used to model and measure social cooperation. Uncooperative behavior may be one manifestation of the unstable interpersonal functioning in psychopathy. I investigated the effect of opponent strategy as well as psychopathic traits of fearless dominance (FD) and impulsive antisociality (IA) on cooperation rates and total and competitive point gains in a sample of 177 undergraduates playing long, finitely iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma games against computerized opponents who varied in their interpersonal styles from very harsh to very lenient. I analyzed rates of cooperation during each game, participants’ total points gained, and the difference in …

The Roles Of Biophilic Attitudes And Auditory Stimuli Within Attention Restoration Theory, Jason B. Boggs

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Attention Restoration Theory indicates that interacting with nature allows one’s fatigued, directed attention to be restored. This effect has been documented and produced through directed interaction with nature, such as a walk in the park, as well as through indirect interactions (e.g., photographs). The current dissertation was designed to: 1) investigate whether and how biophilic attitudes affect the attention-restoring effects incurred from interactions with nature, and 2) extend the research on ART by assessing the impact of nature-related audio stimuli. A total of 184 participants completed an assessment of biophilic attitudes, engaged in attention fatiguing exercises, and participated in one …

Globalization And Cultural Flows: A Three-Article Dissertation Exploring Implications For Education And Culture In India, Dwight Edward Boucher

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation follows a three-article format to examine ways in which distinct manifestations of globalization have engaged and manipulated education in India as colonizing initiatives. The articles are interrelated and examine historical, societal, and individual stories related to colonial and global impositions of Western epistemological, economic, and educational forms in India. The introductory chapter outlines the broad implications of globalization and globalizing narratives, and it is intended to demonstrate that while globalization has the capacity to improve the quality and equitability of lives around the world, it also has the potential to serve as a hegemonic conduit for the continuation …

Conversational Movement Dynamics And Nonverbal Indicators Of Second Language Development: A Microgenetic Approach, Kristine Marie Bragg

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation study extends on current understandings of gesture and embodied interaction with the eco-social environment in second language development (SLD) while introducing new aspects of movement analysis through dynamical modeling. To understand the role of embodiment during learning activities, a second language learning task has been selected. Dyads consisting of a non-native English-speaking student and a native English-speaking tutor were video recorded during writing consultations centered on class assignments provided by the student. Cross-recurrence quantification analysis was used to measure interactional movement synchrony between the members of each dyad. Results indicate that students with varied English proficiency levels synchronize …

Identifying Youth At Risk For Problematic Absenteeism Using Nonparametric Modeling: The Impact Of Youth Psychopathology And Family Environment Risk Factors, Mirae Fornander

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The best cutoff to differentiate problematic school absenteeism from nonproblematic school absenteeism has yet to be identified in the literature (Lyon & Cotler, 2007). Contemporary classification systems, including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), depend upon cutoffs to clearly define the various tiers (Jimerson, Burns, & VanDerHeyden, 2016). The current study aimed to inform the MTSS approach while also contributing to early identification, assessment, and intervention methods for those youth and families at the highest risk of problematic school absenteeism and its negative consequences. The current study identified subgroups of youth at the highest risk of problematic absenteeism, defined as equal …

A Framework To Capture Dynamic Traffic Trends From Historical Sensor Data, Carlos Gaviria

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The typical approach of increasing infrastructure to alleviate traffic issues such as congestion is becoming unviable due to limited space, high cost, and associated externalities. Control and management strategies using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) seek to maximize the use of existent infrastructure. Many ITS strategies, such as the deployment of information, require or benefit from knowledge about traffic patterns and trends. This study proposes a mathematical programming formulation and solution algorithm that considers multiple time intervals for the estimation of network-wide traffic states and calculation of the corresponding transition probabilities. The proposed solution enables the determination of sections of the …

Managing Data-Driven Change: A Model Of Unintended Deviation, Sang-Mun Ray Cho

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Data-driven change in hospitality gaming is desirable because of the opportunities to leverage untapped sources of rich and abundant marketing data. However, change has been difficult to implement as indicated by a lack of widespread adoption. Some have attributed these difficulties to cultural, structural, and other generic factors but these explanations fail to explain the root dynamics of data-driven change.

In this dissertation, it is theorized that data-driven change requires a particular form of social interaction, which are called analytical bonds (AB). The suggestion was that there is a sender of an analytic deliverable and a receiver that makes a …

Disastrous Voting, Moritz Peter Rissmann

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The central question of this study is ’Is there an observable general trend of electorates punishing incumbents for natural disasters across countries and elections?’ Many scholars have argued for the existence of such behavior, yet the empirical evidence rests mostly on single-country and even single-election studies. I look for a generalizable trend in two original data sets with country-election and country-constituency-election as the unit of analysis respectively. I test the punishment hypothesis by correlating the occurrence of natural disasters to the performance of incumbent parties in national lower house elections. Furthermore, I propose that the effect of natural disasters on …

A Qualitative Multiple Case Study Of The Transition Experiences Of Parents And Service Providers Of Individuals With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (Idd) In A Postsecondary Educational Program, Rebecca S. Rogers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the transition experiences of parents of young adults with IDD who are currently enrolled in a postsecondary educational

program in the Southwest part of the United States. This qualitative multiple-case study used Schlossberg’s transition theory to frame the cases for this report. Schlossberg’s transition theory examines the way in which adults move through various transitions in their lives and what strategies they use to cope with the transitions. The theory identifies three different types of transitions: anticipated transitions, unanticipated transitions, and nonevent transitions. In addition, the theory identifies four coping …

An Examination Of Perceived Leadership Behaviors And Employee Engagement In The Us Federal Government: An Exploratory Study, Jason Barker

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Leadership can exist in any organization or entity. It has been studied extensively and examined comprehensively. There have been various theories of what type of leadership is ideal or suitable for a group or organization. From transformational to transactional leadership, leadership styles exist that can contribute to organizations and the style they employ. Employee engagement can be based on either or both transformational and transactional leadership factors. Transformational leadership behaviors generally show an increase in employee engagement. Employee engagement has an association with job satisfaction and leadership perception. Leadership styles will be defined, in addition to factors in the employee’ …

Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder Within Clinically Referred Youth, Breanna Garcia

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Each new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; APA, 2013) has been met with substantial criticism. Particularly, in DSM-5, two disorders were defined by very similar criteria. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) was defined as consisting of three dimensions - irritability, noncompliance, and spiteful/vindictive. Additionally, ODD has duration criteria that indicate its symptoms must be present for at least 6 months suggesting the presence of chronic irritability. DSM-5 also included disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) as a disorder marked by the presence of chronic irritability in childhood and adolescence. The question of whether chronic irritability (i.e., …

The Digital Librarian: The Liaison Between Digital Collections And Digital Preservation, Marina Georgieva

Library Faculty Research

A case-study article written for the Digital Library Federation (DLF) website, section 'Blog and News'.

It discusses the important role of the digital librarian as a liaison between digital collections and digital preservation. It also highlights some of the major responsibilities of the digital librarians at UNLV Libraries. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the key role of the digital librarian in advancing a step closer to a robust and efficient long-term digital preservation strategy.

Healthy Food Options At Dollar Discount Stores Are Equivalent In Quality And Lower In Price Compared To Grocery Stores: An Examination In Las Vegas, Nv, Courtney Coughenour, Timothy J. Bungum, M. Nikki Regalado

School of Public Health Faculty Research

Food deserts indicate limited access to and affordability of healthy foods. One potential mediator is the availability of healthy food in non-traditional outlets such as dollar-discount stores, stores selling produce at the fixed $1 price. The purpose of this study was to compare availability, quality, price differences in ‘healthier’ versus ‘regular’ food choices, price per each food item, and summary score in dollar-discount stores to grocery stores in Las Vegas using the NEMS-S; a protocol consisting of three subscores—availability, quality, price of healthier versus regular food, and a summary score. [...] see article for full abstract

Higher Education Reform: A Time For Action, The Lincy Institute

Brookings Scholar Lecture Series

The Lincy Institute has been at the forefront of research and analysis on higher education governance reform in Nevada. Following numerous statewide studies, The Lincy Institute has produced reports and policy briefs recommending significant structural changes to the State’s higher education landscape. To provide future generations of students with quality education and training in our 21st-century economy, researchers summarized findings and presented model legislation to improve the quality of education offered by Nevada’s eight institutions of higher learning. All Nevadans should demand an honest and transparent discussion of higher education reform. The 2019 legislative session will be a time for …

The Circulation Of Climate Change Denial Online: Rhetorical And Networking Strategies On Facebook, Emma Frances Bloomfield, Denise Tillery

Communication Studies Faculty Research

This study uses a topical, rhetorical approach to analyze how climate change denial circulates online through the 25 most popular posts on the Watts Up With That and the Global Warming Policy Forum Facebook pages. These groups adopt the appearance of credibility through reposting and hyperlinking, thus establishing a supportive, networked space among other skeptical sites, while distancing readers from original sources of scientific information. Visitors use a variety of rhetorical strategies to echo posts’ main themes and to discredit alternative viewpoints. Differences between the topoi and rhetorical strategies of WUWT and the GWPF show that the climate change denial …

Project Focus, Anankan Thangaratnam

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

FOCUS addresses the social issue of trying to Mimic the same college and life experience for Autistic students as for non-Autistic students. Currently the issue is improving, but needs more Marketing to ensure every eligible student is Aware of it. The ideal state is for every Autistic Student achieve confidence and independence, And the world around them to be more Inclusive. I agree with FOCUS that this is A great way to do it, and with more funding and Marketing it can be achieved.

Three Square, Emily Teliska

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

The social issue that Three Square addresses is food insecurity. Food insecurity occurs when people aren't able to secure enough food for a healthy diet and active lifestyle, at some point during the year.

Service Learning, Ken Wu

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

We are facing many kinds of pollution as human progress with technology. For example, after the world is industrialized, we are facing the risk of global warming and air pollution. Also, The invention of the irrigation system cause desertification. While we are trying to find a replacement for fossil fuels, we created contamination along the way, we started affecting the wild lives around us and it is beginning to affect us.

Project 150, Kyla Borja

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

Project 150 addresses the issue of youth homelessness in the Clark County School District. Project 150 currently serves more than 6,000 disadvantaged high school students at 58 schools in Southern Nevada.

The Breakdown, Jada Campbell

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

The Breakdown team strives to be positive role models for our youth by educating them to overcome tobacco usage, peer pressure, societal norms, and environmental.

Community Service Trifecta, Vitoria Queiroz

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

The first Rebel Homecoming Festival was started to celebrate homecoming week. It was on Thursday right before the big game. The purposeof the festival was to bring all colleges together to celebrate UNLV as a whole. Girls on the Run is an non-profit program that strives to teach young women self-love and how to live a healthy life. They do this by running an afterschool program that focus on education and self-esteem building. At the end of the year the girls run a celebratory 5K run. The Boys and Girls Clubs is organization that offers a variety of afterschool programs …

Arbor View High School Marching Band, Mateo Rodriguez-Maldonado

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

The social issue that the AVHS Band and the Band Boosters face is the lack of funding for the program. The Clark County School District has been reducing the budget of many schools in the past decade. This year, over $17.6 million has been cut from all high schools in the county and Arbor View has loss $579 thousand dollars in budget cuts (Forest 2018).

Spread The Word, Janet Wu

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

The goal for the organization is to make the children have their own library at home, especially for the elementary school kids. They can read and share their book to their friend and family. The organization hopes that third grade children can read because it is hard for them to catch out with other kid if they do not know how to read.

Spread The Word Nevada, Leonardo Gonzalez

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

Spread the Word addresses the issue of literacy among children, in particular those who come from low income households.

Tcmi Church, Rosa Gonzalez

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

TCMI has been working to stop hunger here in the Las Vegas community.

Selected Correspondence With Igor Kon, Dmitri N. Shalin

Sociology Faculty Research

The article presents the correspondence with I.S. Kon. No abstract provided.