Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Hemisphere Side Of Damage And Encoding Capacity, Margaret Ellen Davis

Dissertations and Theses

This study was designed to examine whether normal information processing does engage both hemispheres of the brain regardless of sensory channel (i.e., auditory or visual), and whether an opportunity for dual encoding (verbal and visual) was advantageous for patients with unilateral brain damage. It compared memory for verbal material presented in the visual and auditory modalities among three groups: right hemisphere brain damaged stroke patients (RBD), left hemisphere brain damaged stroke patients (LBD), and neurologically intact control subjects.

Only control and LBD subjects benefited from the visual presentation compared with auditory. Controls did generally better on both modes than either …

Germany, Mexico, And The United States, 1911-1917, John Joseph Leffler

Dissertations and Theses

The thesis focuses on Germany's Mexican policies from 1911 to 1917, with particular attention given to the connection of these policies to political relations between the United States and Germany and between the United States and Mexico. The paper also attempts to place German activities in Mexico within the context of Germany's desire to promote its political and economic interests on a worldwide scale. Although some unpublished sources were consulted, the account relies mostly on published documents, memoirs, and secondary sources for its factual basis.

After a brief discussion of trends in German-Amercan relations during the years leading up to …

Extraversion-Introversion And Sensitivity To Nonverbal Cues, Virginia Seiser

Dissertations and Theses

Sixty-five college students completed the Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (PONS) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. The results did not support the hypothesis that introverts would be found to be relatively more sensitive to negative nonverbal cues than to positive cues, and that this difference would be greater for introverts than for extroverts. The outcome did not support predictions concerning the relationship between sensitivity to nonverbal communication and extroversion- introversion based on either Gray's fear-frustration hypothesis or Eysenck's general conditionability hypothesis of extroversion-introversion.

The results supported findings of earlier researchers that females are more sensitive to nonverbal cues than males, and …

Desertion Of Elderly By Adult Children, Jill C. Harvey

Dissertations and Theses

This study examines the widely prevalent belief that adult children desert their elders.

Data which suggested considerable family support of elderly family members were collected over a period of one year through counseling families with dependent parents. These families exhibited confusion and lack of knowledge but not desertion.

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Self-Disclosing Communication On Attraction-To-Group In The Small Group Setting, Pamela Walker Vredevelt

Dissertations and Theses

A review of the literature on self-disclosure and small group communication showed that few investigations dealt with the effects of disclosing communication on small group process. The present study was conducted in order to assess the effects of the frequency of self-disclosure within small groups on the members' overall attraction to the group. 120 subjects were selected from the East Hill Church senior high youth department in Gresham, Oregon. Subjects were placed at random into ten small groups with twelve members each which met for one-half hour per week for six consecutive weeks. All group communications were audio tape recorded. …

The Descriptive Function Of Language: Changes With Age And Pressure To Inform, Eve Susan Liebman

Dissertations and Theses

Currently language is viewed as a multi-dimensional construct, consisting of three interrelated components; content, form and function (Bloom and Lahey, 1978). In recent publications, language function has been referred to as pragmatics (Prutting, 1979). The essence of pragmatic theory is that language is used functionally in social contexts, to accomplish specific types of communication (Wood, 1981). One such communicative function is referred to as the informative function, which occurs when a speaker provides ideas and information to others, as in describing, naming and giving examples {Wood, 1981). It is not clear, however, when children become competent in making specific, clear …

A Comparison Of Two Language Screening Instruments In Two Populations, Karen Kumpula-Lacey

Dissertations and Theses

Screening has been suggested as the most efficient method to find students with potential language problems (Neidecker, 1980). Based on the need for a standardized adolescent language screening tool, Prather, Breecher, Stafford, and Wallace (1980) developed the Screening Test of Adolescent Language (STAL). This is a six to eight minute test with twenty-three items which examine vocabulary, auditory memory span, language processing, and proverb explanation. Following an item analysis of the STAL, Prather, Brenner, and Hughes (1981) derived the Mini-Screening Test of Adolescent Language (M-STAL). This test contains five items from the STAL and requires one minute to administer.

An Empirical Analysis Of The Shift/Share Technique For Employment Forecasting, Larry Mccord

Dissertations and Theses

This research project has developed out of the desire to empirically test and evaluate the technique of shift/share analysis as applied to employment forecasting. Shifts in economic growth and more recently, the fast growth patterns on the West Coast have required the development of analytical techniques to forecast regional employment growth. Several methodologies have been applied to this problem including: regression analysis and trend extrapolation, economic base studies, and shift/share analysis.

Developing A Test Of Communicative Competence For English As A Second Language Students At The College Level, Kristen Kern

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of the research was to develop a test of oral communicative competence for English as a Second Language (ESL) students at the college level.

This research first reviewed the current literature on the topic of communicative competence from the perspectives of linguistics and sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, and speech communication. The 1iterature on testing for communicative competence within the ESL and foreign language teaching fields was also reviewed. A 7-minute oral semi-direct taped test was then developed and administered to a trial group of 5 ESL students and a final group of 25 ESL students at Portland State University. …

Perspectives On Speechlessness : A Case Study, Michelle Alexander Carlson

Dissertations and Theses

This study addresses a problem of speech disruption as an individual abruptly and without explanation stops speaking to those around her. The matter for investigation involves the meaning this event has for those who are closely involved with this individual either in a practical day to day way or in a continuing relationship.

A Study Of Age And Sex-Related Differences In The Perception Of Emotional Stimuli, Nancy Mellor Canizio

Dissertations and Theses

In a tachistoscopic perception task, adult males in the Fels Research Institute's longitudinal population (Kagan and Moss, 1960) were found to have a higher recognition threshold for pictures depicting dependency scenes than adult females. The female subjects had a higher recognition threshold for aggressive scenes than the males.

The present study was designed to further compare male and female perception of dependent and aggressive stimuli by including a developmental component to test if the perceptual differences vary with age. A benign or neutral stimulus category was added to aid in determining direction of any resulting differences: i.e., heightened perception or …

Phonational Frequency Ranges In Vocally Untrained Adults Using Different Cardinal Vowels, Lorie Renee Chambers

Dissertations and Theses

In the clinical management of voice clients, it is important to measure accurate pitch ranges in order to determine if a client has a normal range or is speaking at an optimum pitch. It is not clear from the literature which vowel should be used in determining these pitch ranges. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the phonational frequency ranges in adults with no vocal training when phonating the cardinal vowels of /i/, /u/, and /a/. The investigation sought to answer the following question: Does the phonational frequency range in vocally untrained adults vary significantly when phonating the …

Towards A Measure Of Superior-Subordinate Perceptual Correspondence And Its Relationship To The Performance Appraisal, Elizabeth Duane Vergeer Crist

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of the present study was to determine what, if any, relationship existed between the correspondence of perceptions between superior-subordinate work dyads and the superior's rating of the subordinate's work performance.

Adolescent Chemical Substance Use And Abuse : Environmental And Personal Determinants, And A Proposed Model For Group Intervention, Lindy Louise Low Lecoq

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of the literature review is to identify consistent patterns regarding adolescent use and abuse of chemical substances, especially alcohol and marijuana. Acute physical, cognitive and social effects of alcohol and marijuana use are outlined, and environmental and personal determinants of drug use and abuse are examined. Methods of prevention and intervention are discussed and, from the research findings, a model group counseling program designed for the school setting is proposed. Adolescent use of both marijuana and alcohol is found to be modal by age 16-17. The physical, cognitive and social effects are pervasive and especially damaging to chronic …

Verbal Fluency Performance Of Normal Elderly Subjects, Molly Secrest

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to measure the verbal fluency of normal gerontologic subjects and to determine the extent of association between verbal fluency score and level of education. Specifically, this investigation sought to determine means, ranges and standard deviations for three groups of subjects: those 61 to 69 years of age, those 70 to 79 years of age, and those 80 years of age and above. In addition, correlations between verbal fluency score, and age, sex, years of education, and order of stimulus presentation were computed.

Post-Mazama Aboriginal Settlement/Subsistence Patterns : Upper Klamath Basin, Oregon, Frances Marie Philipek

Dissertations and Theses

A study was conducted in the Upper Klamath Basin, south-central Oregon, to test Luther s. Cressman' s hypothesis characterizing prehistoric Klamath Basin culture as having, from an early date, a marsh/riverine subsistence focus with long-term stability and a slow rate of internal change emphasizing intensification of the existing marsh/riverine utilization pattern. A subsistence/ settlement pattern model was developed to predict aboriginal site occurrence in the upper Klamath Basin.

Pragmatics: The Verbal Expression Of Feelings, Ann Paula Zimmerman

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to determine at which age levels, between four and eight years, children express Praise, Apology, Commiseration, Blame, Challenge, Endearment, and both a Positive and Negative State.

Subjects were thirty children, six from each age level between four and eight years, selected from an elementary and preschool within the Portland area. Sixteen picture cards and stories were designed to elicit the eight different feelings. Each subject responded to questions at the end of the story and was given two chances to express the appropriate feeling. Each response was judged as appropriate or inappropriate and scored …

The Relationship Of Brain Hemisphere Orientation To Wisc-R Subscale Scores, Robin Diane Thomas Hayden

Dissertations and Theses

Because there is a growing amount of contradictory evidence concerning the relationship of WISC-R subscale scores to hemispheric orientation, the present study examined the validity of the WISC-R subscale scores as indicators of individual hemispheric orientation.

The present study hypothesized a significant relationship between Verbal-Performance scale score discrepancies and hemispheric orientation as assessed by conjugate lateral eye movements. This study also hypothesized that subjects with a right hemisphere orientation would score higher on t~ block design, picture completion, and object assembly subtests than would subjects with a left hemisphere orientation.

Developing An Attitude Test To Predict Treatment Outcome In Depressed And Anxious Outpatients : An Exploratory Study, Kathryn Ainslie Paris

Dissertations and Theses

While much research has examined factors thought to affect patient compliance with therapeutic regimen, relatively little is known about the relationship between psychiatric patients' attitudes toward treatment regimen and their adherence to the treatment regimen. Compliance rates for psychiatric patients remain the lowest of the medical patient population, probably due to psychological and social characteristics of psychiatric patients. Because of a trend in the United States toward self-medication for an increasingly ambulatory psychiatric patient population, the ability to predict patient compliance with medication regimen has become more important than ever before. Before potential noncompliers can be identified and patient compliance …

One-Third Octave Band Augmented Speech Discrimination Testing For Normal Hearing Listeners, Nancy Marie Bowen

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 500 Hz and 3150 Hz one-third octave band augmentation on the speech discrimination ability of normal hearing listeners and whether such effects vary with signal presentation level. The augmented portion of monosyllabic words was systematically varied from 5-55dB above the intensity level of the unfiltered version of the words and presented simultaneously to one ear.

The Acquisition Of Obligatory-Do, Bernadette Maresh-Ericksen

Dissertations and Theses

The auxiliary verb obligatory-do is used in forming questions, negative and emphatic sentences. Currently there is no test or norms established for the acquisition of obligatory-do. The purpose of this study was to establish age trends, via elicited imitation for the acquisition of obligatory-do according to the sentence type in which it expressively occurs i.e., negative sentences, emphatic sentences, interrogative reversals and wh-questions. This study addressed the following question: At what ages do children expressively demonstrate, via elicited imitation, the auxiliary verb obligatory-do in negative sentences, emphatic sentences, interrogative reversals and wh-questions? A secondary question was: In what manner does …

Toward A Measure Of Correspondence In Relational Perceptions In Marital Dyads, Deborah Anne Coker

Dissertations and Theses

In order to assess a component of communication in interpersonal relationships, an instrument was developed to determine the correspondence in relational perceptions between partners in a marital dyad. The current study focuses on the levels of awareness spouses exhibit regarding phenomenological perceptions of themselves, their partners and the status of their dyadic system.

Speech Intelligibility As A Function Of The Propositionality Of Background Noise, Gail Swanstrom

Dissertations and Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to measure the ability of young normal hearing listeners to perceive speech in the presence of a background noise which varies in the relative intensity of its semantic content. The Speech Perception in Noise test was mixed with a two-component competing noise complex in which the narrative-to- speech noise ratio varied in 2 dB increments from -2 dB Na/SpN to +8 dB Na/SpN. These stimuli were presented at an overall +8 dB signal-to-noise ratio to thirty young normal hearing adults through the soundfield system. The differences between the mean error scores and standard deviations …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Nine Nonverbal Communications Texts, Edward J. Cavin

Dissertations and Theses

Throughout the past decade, numerous texts have been published which claim to be ideally suited for use in a basic, introductory nonverbal communication course. Many authors state that their text will comprehensively cover all aspects of the field of nonverbal communication. Unfortunately, many of the texts cover only a portion of the concepts which have been deemed as essential for inclusion in a beginning nonverbal communication course.

With the plethora of material relating to this topic on the market, there is a need for a comprehensive evaluation form by which an elevator could determine the specific method of layout (manner …

A Study Of Factors Affecting Cognitive Style In Mexican-American Children, Anne Kelter Gehrig

Dissertations and Theses

In recent years cognitive style has become the focus of much educational research. Many educators believe that instructional effectiveness can be maximized by utilizing the student's preferred cognitive style as a springboard for introducing new concepts as well as by restructuring educational practices so that the child learns to deal effectively with diverse cognitive styles. Early research on cognitive style focused solely on behavioral indicators. Today many researchers acknowledge that, in order to understand cognitive style, one must examine brain processing, as different styles of thinking result from the manner in which each hemisphere of the brain processes information.

This …

Role-Taking And Behavior, Jane Wynne Uphoff

Dissertations and Theses

The present study examined the relationship between the cognitive skill of role-or perspective-taking and naturally occurring behavior of behaviorally disordered children. Twenty-six boys, aged five years, nine months to twelve years, two months were tested and observed at their treatment facility. It was predicted that children who could take the perspective of others would prefer peer to adult interaction, would more likely give positive attention to their peers and would be more likely to use effective language than their non perspective-taking peers. These and related hypotheses were examined by observing each participant's interactive behavior for 36 minutes distributed over three …

Marital Interaction And Spousal Health And Well-Being, Ralph Arthur Schmoldt

Dissertations and Theses

An attempt is made to determine whether marital interaction is related to the health and well-being of husbands and wives and, if such a relationship exists, to explore the nature of the relationship. The dimensions of marital interaction of interest include cohesion, companionship, cooperation, and consensus. Cohesion is manifest in the feelings a couple has about their relationship. Companionship and cooperation are seen in a couple's joint activities. A shared outlook on life represents consensus.

Proverbs : Tools For World View Studies : An Exploratory Comparison Of The Bemba Of Zambia And The Shona Of Zimbabwe, Larry L. Niemeyer

Dissertations and Theses

The proverbs of people - defined by Webster as short sayings "in common use expressing a well-known truth or common fact ascertained by experience or observation" - have been an object of study to many kinds of people for many decades. Robert R. Marett has said that proverbs are a key to both the language and culture of a people. But, knowledge of the language and culture of a people, in itself, cannot be satisfying to the discerning anthropologist. An effort must be made to identify and understand the categories of thought, codes and symbols that undergird their language and …

Affective Perspective-Taking And Sympathy In Young Children, Mary Driver Leinbach

Dissertations and Theses

The present study focused upon both behavioral and cognitive aspects of sympathetic responses in preschool children. Subjects, 36 boys and girls aged 33-75 months, were seen at their regular day care center. An attempt was made to promote comforting behavior through the use of a peer model both alone and accompanied by an adult's inductive statement regarding the consequences of a sympathetic response; a six year-old girl served as the sympathetic model and as an apparently injured victim in need of comforting. In addition, age- and sex-related relationships for the measures of social cognition, affective perspective-taking and knowledge of strategies …

The Effect Of Early Handling On The Sexually Dimorphic Rate Of Extinction Of A Conditioned Taste Aversion In Rats, Rebecca Lee Yoder

Dissertations and Theses

Male rats have been found to extinguish a conditioned taste aversion slower than females. It has also been found that female rats that have been "handled" (i.e., exposed to daily brief isolation from siblings and mother) during the preweaning period extinguish a taste aversion faster than nonhandled females. The present study sought to combine and extend these findings by testing handled and nonhandled females and males in a conditioned taste aversion under the methodological conditions used in the sex difference research.