Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Parents, Educators, Law Enforcement, And Participation In Delinquent Behavior: Gender Socialization And Views Of Life Changes, Jolie Marie Imler

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The task of the proposed research is to determine the extent parents, educators, law enforcement, and participation in delinquent behavior influence responses of youth toward their hopefulness for the future and likelihood of attending college and whether the relationships differ by gender. Using gender socialization, social capital, and labeling theories as theoretical backgrounds, it is anticipated that contradictory socialization patterns, gendered access to social capital, and labels influence the resources and responses of female juveniles when considering hopefulness for the future and the likelihood of attending college. The proposed study will use secondary data comprised of youth either adjudicated delinquent …

Depression And Cognitive Changes In Dementia Of The Alzheimer’S Type And Normal Aging, Emily A. Carr

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Past research has identified a relationship between depression scores and memory functioning in "normal" populations. However, findings in the dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (DAT) population have been inconsistent, at best. The purpose of the present study was to further investigate whether Depression affects cognitive functioning in individuals with DAT to the same extent as it affects those without DAT. Depression and cognitive functioning was investigated in two groups of subjects: individuals diagnosed with DAT (N = 27), and older normal controls (N = 24). Cognitive functioning was operationalized as scores achieved on recent memory measures. Each group was assessed …

Agricultural Land Evaluation In Black Hawk County Using Geospatial Technologies, Elisha Jasper Dung

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Agriculture is one of the world's most important activities supporting human life. However, the rate of agricultural land conversion to non-agricultural uses around the world, and especially in the United States is on the increase. It has been asserted that over 2,965,265 acres of U.S. agriculture lands have recently been lost per year to development, which is a rate nearly two and a half times that lost due to development in the last 10 years ( 1982-1992). This is of particular concern in Iowa which is agriculturally based because the loss of small tracts of this high-valued land may have …

Negotiating Voices: Ethnography Of Interactive Theatre Techniques Within A Classroom, Jana Gymer-Koch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

During the Spring 2001 semester I had the opportunity to conduct an ethnography of Dr. Karen Mitchell's course "Texts and Contexts: Performance and Social Change" at the University of Northern Iowa. This course is designed to link performance with social change issues, by utilizing personal narrative and Augusto Boal' s Theatre of the Oppressed techniques: forum theatre, image theatre, and invisible theatre. These techniques were chosen by Dr. Mitchell on the basis of their capacity to involve both actors and audiences in the issues to be addressed and because they are based on Paulo Freire' s principles of liberatory education. …

Are College Students Prepared For Conflict? : A Review On Conflict Resolution Among College Students, Marc J. Dalmasso

Graduate Research Papers

The following is a review of the research on the topic of conflict resolution in college age students. All of the research involved used college students as their participants. The purpose of this review was to find out if college students constructively resolve conflicts in their individual and professional lives. The research reveals that there are various factors that play a key role in how this age group comes to their resolution strategies. Nevertheless, students appear to use some nonconstructive techniques. However, constructive methods to be aware of are discovered as well as skills that may offer insight further into …

Culture From Chaos: The Formation Of Social Norms From The Dynamic Self-Organization Of Individuals' Attitudes And Behavior, Jerry G. Cullum

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Top-down models of culture provide a useful although limited understanding of cultural content, formation, and change. Previous theorizing using bottom-up models help to explain why cultures exist and explain some of their content. Dynamic social impact theory (DSIT; Latane, 1996) expands on previous bottom-up models by proposing a concise mechanism for cultural content transmission and the dynamic outcome of this process. Furthermore, the catastrophe theory of attitudes (Latane & Nowak, 1994) suggests that the level of involvement of an issue will modify attitude change and therefore modify DSIT's predictions. The present study expanded on previous research to offer a more …

Selected Influences On The Smoking Behavior Among Female And Male College Students Of The University Of Northern Iowa, Evelyn Adom-Boateng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study primarily, was to investigate and identify the influence of the four focus areas (media, family, peer, and psychological coping technique) on the smoking behavior among female and male college students of the University of Northern Iowa. A description of differences in the influences of the focus areas on the smoking behavior on gender was included in the study. A non-random (convenient) sample of 100 students was drawn from the various Departments and Schools from five colleges in the University (57% males and 43% females).

The Sample responded to a 44-item self-report (survey) questionnaire. Overall means …

The Effects Of Gender, Gender-Role, And Type Of Relationship On Self-Reported Intimacy, Keith Karl Buhr

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Gender issues in the understanding and experience of intimacy have been in debate for the last 30 years. The gender and gender-role of the participant, the type of relationship studied, and the way in which intimacy has been defined have affected the conclusions drawn about gender differences in the understanding and expression of intimacy. The purpose of this study was to examine how these factors influenced perceptions of the amount and expression of self-reported intimacy in relationships. College students (N = 164) at a Midwestern university completed questionnaire packets including measures of self-disclosure and social intimacy for credit in their …

A Review Of Separation Anxiety Disorder With A Focus On Research Based Intervention Strategies, Lauryn C. Kittleson

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to discuss what Separation Anxiety Disorder is, what causes SAD symptoms in some children, successful assessment methods, and finally treatment and intervention options available and the efficacy of each one. The focus of this paper is on research based interventions with the intention of finding the most successful and empirically based intervention available. The most widely used and empirically based intervention available at this time is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Alternative methods of treatment include psycho-education for mild cases and CBT plus medication for severe cases.

Many areas need further research and future studies …

Portrayal Of Women In Magazine Advertisements Targeted Toward Three Age Groups Of Women : A Content Analysis, Stephanie Lynn Cummings

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Prior research has established that women are portrayed in sex roles in magazine advertisements. The purpose of this study was to explore this trend and to examine if the trend appears across audiences of various ages of women. Content analysis was used to analyze advertisements in magazines with female target audiences. Additionally, three categories of magazines, which correspond to the three age groups of women, were explored to see if the advertisements with sex role images of women appear across all three groups of women. The results of the advertisements revealed that teen and young women's magazines contained ads, which …

Deterrence Rhetoric In A Post-Cold War Security Environment, Michael D. Griffin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis examines changes in United States deterrence policy from a communications perspective. The shift in policy was first made public in national strategy documents released in the fall of 2002. Using Kenneth Burke's dramatism, both the Cold War and the current security environment are examined. The pentadic analysis provides a better understanding of how the Bush administration views the world, unmasking motives for the shift in deterrence policy. The new policy of deterrence is examined to determine if it functions effectively as a persuasive argument. This analysis will then look at the implication of the new policy in addressing …

Developmental Process And Outcome Of Mckinley K-5 Elementary School "Portrait Of America 2001-2002" Multimedia Cd-Rom, Cheryl Edwards

Graduate Research Papers

McKinley K-5 Elementary School created and mass-produced a multi-media CDROM correlating with the Social Studies Standards and Benchmarks of Muscatine Community School District. Each grade level designed and developed lyrics and music about the related grade level curriculum. Some classes created a multimedia presentation while others gave a fine arts program. This was a student-centered, hands-on activity that was formed during the 2001-2002 school year.

Moral Development Of The Characters Of The Harry Potter Series, Amy J. Grundmeyer

Graduate Research Papers

Many parents, teachers, and students are unaware of the level of moral development exhibited by characters in the Harry Potter series. The purpose of this study was to explore moral development in the first four novels of the series in an attempt to find positive examples of moral decision-making. Using Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development, adolescent characters were evaluated for higher-level moral development and adult characters were evaluated for moral development at a higher level than that shown by the adolescent characters.

A content analysis was performed on the first four novels in the Harry Potter series by J. K. …

Carnegie Library Buildings In Iowa Today, Terri Hudachek

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to present the history of four Iowa Carnegie Library buildings: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, West Liberty, Iowa, and Eldon, Iowa. These four building histories were selected because together they represent the common fates of such buildings, not only in Iowa, but across the country. The Carnegie Library in Eldon remains much the same as the day it opened in May 9, 1913 with many original features intact. The West Liberty Carnegie Library building has been renovated to retain the Carnegie appearance. Cedar Falls had renovated its Carnegie library building with no regard …

A Textual Analysis Of The Portrayal Of Parents In Young Adult Literature, Kathryn L. Reisetter Houck

Graduate Research Papers

This research examined the way in which parents are portrayed in young adult literature. Textual analysis was the methodology used to sort and code the 24 books that met the researcher's criteria, which were that books had to be published within the last decade and characters had to be from two-parent, intact families. By looking at the themes, the researcher attempted to interpret the information and draw inferences. The research yielded some surprising results as to how parents are portrayed. in the majority of young adult novels, parents are present at least to some degree. They are typically portrayed in …

Taste Of Postville, Sunday, August 25, 2002 [Pamphlet], Postville Herald Leader

Postville Project Documents

A special issue of the Postville Herald Leader covering the plans for the 2002 Taste of Postville festival.

Ninth Annual Csbs Student Research Conference [Program] April 20, 2002, University Of Northern Iowa

INSPIRE Student Research & Engagement Conference Programs

A program for the INSPIRE conference where undergraduate and graduate students present their research, internship, volunteer and study abroad experiences, club activities and creative performances.

Introduction, Ken Mccormick

Major Themes in Economics

No abstract provided.

Cover - Table Of Contents

Major Themes in Economics

No abstract provided.

Geography Newsletter, Spring 2002, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Geography.

Geography Newsletter

Inside this issue:

-- New GIS/Remote Sensing Faculty Member Appointed for 2002-03
-- Alumni Album
-- Recent Geography Graduates
-- Geography Foundation Account
-- 2002 Geography Alumni Survey
-- Results of the 2000-01 Departmental Academic Program Review
-- Dr. David W. May Promoted to Full Professor
-- Spring Awards Banquet: Friday, April 26, 2002

Organ Donation System: Revision In Three Phases And Counterarguments To Concerns Presented By Proponents Of The Current Altruistic System, Beth Gansen

Major Themes in Economics

In 1984, organ donation was formally organized in the United States under the National Transplant Act. The legislation established many necessary institutions, but did not address the issue of rising demand and stagnant supply. Altruists believe education is the answer, but this approach has sentenced thousands to death. Commercialization of organ procurement is a viable solution. Commercializing the procurement sector will increase efficiency, alleviate shortages, and save lives. The policy and legal implications are complex but a basic outline for a commercialized system is derived from researchers’ suggestions, economics, and lessons from the commercialized sperm donation system. Objections to commercialization …

A Bubble On The Mighty Mississippi: An Application Of A General Model Of Speculative Bubbles To The Mississippi Bubble Of 1716-1720, Alex Knight

Major Themes in Economics

Speculative economic bubbles are a common phenomenon but are not wholly understood. Bubbles progress through a series of nine stages. A shock triggers a profitable redistribution of assets, credit creation and new investments; speculation fuels the economy; doubts burst the bubble. The Mississippi Bubble, in early 18th century France, presents an example to which this model may be applied. The history of the Mississippi Bubble, and a brief IS-LM analysis, show that speculative bubbles can be like a lively party: loud and boisterous, but with a mess to clean up afterwards. The French economy was left with a national hangover …

Economic Development Incentive Wars: What Influence Do State And Local Economic Development Incentives Have On The Location Decisions Of Firms?, Chris Lockie

Major Themes in Economics

State and local policymakers throughout the country experience tremendous pressure from their constituents to create policy tools that spur job growth and reduce unemployment in their jurisdictions. One tool that has been viewed by policymakers as useful in stimulating job growth and reducing unemployment has been economic development incentives. Despite this view, there has been growing concern over the cost effectiveness of these incentives. This paper provides a comprehensive discussion of the issues surrounding economic development incentives and evidence from four different methods of study as to the influence incentives have had on employment growth in states and counties throughout …

The Private Prison Debate: A Look Into The Efficiency Of Private Prisons Vs. Public Prisons, Megan Swanson

Major Themes in Economics

The resurgence of private prisons during the 1980s has caused a lot of debate. If a private firm can run a prison more efficiently than the government, the government should allow privatization. Factors such as cost, quality of service, competition and liability must be examined in order to determine whether a private prison is more efficient than a public prison.

The State Lottery Tax: An Equity Analysis, Ben Smith

Major Themes in Economics

This paper finds the state lottery tax to be vertically inequitable. The tax is inherently regressive, meaning poorer income classes spend a larger share of their income on lottery products than higher income classes. The paper also finds the lottery tax to be horizontally inequitable. Older people, males, less educated individuals, and minorities (except Asians) all tend to spend more on lottery products than their respective counterparts. Policy makers should lower the implicit tax rate from its current level of 44% to 19%. A decrease in the tax rate will increase state revenue, increase consumer surplus, possibly stimulate the economy, …

Creating And Maintaining A Safe Environment In The Public High School : A Reflective Essay, Chris Anderson

Graduate Research Papers

School violence is an unfortunate fact of life in our society. Administrators need to consider multiple variables when deciding how to deal with violence in their building. The climate of the community must be taken into consideration. In a large metropolitan school with a history of violence, measures such as metal detectors and armed security guards may be justified. At a rural school such measures might be considered an overreaction. Furthermore, in this age of shrinking budgets an administrator may have difficulty justifying expenditures for metal detectors and guards in a school without a history of violence. The answer for …

Attachment Disorders And Personality Disorders : A Possible Connection, Jen Sacora

Graduate Research Papers

Researchers now propose that attachment theory can be applied beyond childhood. They believe attachment exists in adulthood and influences adult relationships. Possible connections between personality disorders and well-known approaches to personality development such as attachment theory have been made (Brennan & Shaver, 1998).

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between parent-infant attachment which influence adult relationships and psychopathology. Theories of personality development as they relate to attachment will be explored as well as influence of early childhood experiences on personality. Finally, possible connections between attachment disorders and personality disorders will be speculated.

Underachievement And Movitation : Why Children Underachieve And The School Counselor's Role In Helping Students, Sarah M. Kakacek

Graduate Research Papers

Underachievement and lack of motivation are two matters of concern that are significantly affecting elementary children in North American classrooms (Wigfield & Eccles, 2002). School counselors have responsibilities to encourage and foster growth in children's learning through the use of combined techniques such as self-monitoring and self-evaluation. In addition, counselors are attempting to understand and further explore channels that may stifle a child's progress including, but not limited to: the classroom environment, the child's belief system, internal needs and cognitions, the child's sense of autonomy as well as competency, and basic needs of belonging and fun.

In aiding the underachieved …

The Use Of Metaphor In Counseling, Helen Driscoll Kemp

Graduate Research Papers

Language is a powerful tool of which metaphorical language is one compelling feature that the therapist has at his or her disposal. Through the use of metaphor, therapeutic communication is enhanced and abstract ideas become more tangible. This paper begins with a dictionary definition of metaphor and how some of the experts in the field have defined it. Several types of metaphor will be described along with some practical examples for each type. Metaphor can be used in various counseling modalities. Four modalities will be described along with why metaphors are useful. Finally the paper will conclude with the process …

Issues Impacting The Quality Of Mental Health In Older Adults, Rachel I. Pettit

Graduate Research Papers

Older adults are confronted with a variety of developmental and unexpected issues that can impair or strengthen their mental health. Affective and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and suicide are some of the mental health issues when older adults experience difficulty with the aging process. On the other hand, the quality of their physical and mental health, their support system, the resolution of grief and loss issues, and the strength of their spirituality assist older adults in recreating meaning. Thus, they are able to live their senior years with purpose. These issues will be addressed and recommendations will be described with …