Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Family Environments And The Development And Course Of Anorexia Nervosa, Amy E. Hewett

Honors Theses

Preoccupation with physical appearance is a hallmark of adolescence, and distorted body images are common among teenage women in developed countries around the world. Obviously alI of these adolescents are not contracting eating disorders, and a distorted body image, although necessary, is not sufficient to induce anorexia. The mitigating factor appears to be family relations and environments. Previous research has noted unusual relationships among family members of anorexic girls. The present study contends that familial factors and environments powerfully direct both the move toward and the recovery from anorexia nervosa. It is hypothesized that high scores on the Family Environment …

Initial Dyadic Peer Interaction Of Adhd And Normal Children, Julie A. Hubbard

Honors Theses

The present study assesses the nature of the behavior of ADHD children in an initial social encounter with a peer. Eight pairs each of previously unacquainted ADHD/normal and normal/normal children were videotaped as they interacted in a free-play setting for 30 minutes. All ADHD subjects were currently receiving psychostimulant medication. As compared to the normal/normal dyads, the ADHD/normal dyads engaged in more solitary play as well as less associative play. The ADHD/normal dyads also had a greater latency to reach rule-governed associative play and engaged in less affective verbalization than the normal/normal dyads. Sequential analyses revealed that the normal/normal dyads, …

The Effects Of Caffeine On Operant Behavior In The Mongolian Gerbil, Stephanie L. Myers

Honors Theses

The present study looks at the effects of stomach loads of caffeine on operant behavior in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Four male and four female gerbils were trained to a fixed interval schedule of 30 seconds with Noyes 4.5 mg rodent pellets used for reinforcement. A data collection and analysis package for Apple computers was used to measure the post-reinforcement response frequencies and number of reinforcements. Data was collected using a baseline of saline stomach loads of 1% of body weight, and then stomach loads of ascending concentrations caffeine mixed with saline (10, 20, 40, 60 mg/kg) with two to …

The Correlation Between The Motive To Achieve And The Motive To Affiliate In College Women, Lisa Salladin

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the motives to achieve and to affiliate in college senior women and to compare that correlation earlier findings that consistently produced a significant negative relationship. It has been suggested in the 1970's that for women achievement and affiliation were be_coming less adversarial and approaching a more balanced coexistence. These motivations were measured by the frequently utilized Edward's Personal Preference Schedule in an effort to help strengthen the comparability of the present results with those previous findings. Interviews were conducted in an effort to shed light on whether these women …

The Influence Of Gender Schema On The Perception Of Advertising, Kim Seitz

Honors Theses

Schemas are used to organize knowledge about a stimulus or concept. They help to show what information should be notice or ignored, interpret between long-term memory and the current stimulus, and aid in efficiently storing information. Individuals' responses to decisions are guided by schemas. The process of eleviating cognitive dissonance between reality and existing schemas serves as their motivation (Ruble & Stangor, 1986).

Outcome-Biased Correspondent Inferences And Choice Behavior In Social Dilemmas : "Acting On Inference", Shannon J. Pratt

Honors Theses

An experiment employing 38 intro-psychology students was performed in order to a) observe the outcome-biased correspondent inference, b) investigate whether this inference may be manifested in social dilemma behavior, and c) investigate the role of social values in reactions to feedback, investment behaviors, and sensitivity to the correspondent inference. The experiment consisted of two parts. The first part categorized subjects as either cooperators or defectors using the Ring Measure of Social Values. In the second part, subjects completed a booklet with the aid of taped instructions. The booklet contained a questionnaire, a bogus scenario, and three investment situations. Results showed …

Jealousy : An Investigation Of Attribution, Margaret L. Offerdahl

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of jealousy in different situations. Specifically, the research extended a study which identified five major categories of jealousy: romantic jealousy, jealousy of others' social acceptance, jealousy of others' undeserved accomplishments, jealousy of others' traits, and jealousy of others' happiness (Baldwin, 1988).

The investigation utilized a questionnaire narrating one scenario for each of the five jealousy provoking situations. Subjects rated the appropriateness of the jealous response in each situation on a scale from 1 to 7 and generated perceived causes for each jealous response. An analysis of variance of the appropriateness …

The Development Of The Child And Adolescent Coping Inventory, Laura K. Mcgraw

Honors Theses

The development of the Child and Adolescent Coping Inventory (Cobb, Gwanter, & Newcomb, 1987) is described and reliability and validity statistics are reported. The inventory consists of a parent form and a child form. The parent form contains 91 descriptions of children's behaviors when faced with difficulties. The child form is in interview format and asks children to describe seven positive and negative events and their reactions to them.The Inventory in both forms is capable of obtaining both observable and subjective reactions of children to stress. Reliability and validity is stronger for the child form. Suggestions are made for possible …

Warning Compliance : Behavioral Effects Of Cost And Consensus, Nancy A. Mckenna

Honors Theses

The behavioral effects of cost and consensus on warning compliance were examined. Cost was defined as the amount of effort expended to perform the instructed behavior, while consensus was defined as whether the presence of another person who complies or fails to comply affects the rate of compliance of another. Subjects performed a chemistry laboratory task during which, they read a warning directing them to wear a safety mask and gloves. The frequency of the subjects' compliance was recorded. The results show reduced compliance when the cost was high. The results also show that the behavior of just one other …

An Exploratory Analysis On The Situational Determinants Of Jealousy, Renee Jean Baldwin

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to transcend the trait and affective boundaries in order to account for the situational and cognitive variables which provoke the responses elicited by jealous emotion. The focus of the study is comprised of two major objectives: (1). To discover and define the structural dimensions associated with people's conceptions of jealous situations and (2) to deter mine whether there are gender differences in the interpretation and conceptualization of jealous emotion. Thirty-one undergraduate psychology students participated in the study. A cluster analysis was performed on the co-occurrence of situations. Five major categories of the situational determinants …

Power And The Social Order: Sex Role Stereotyping In Children's Television, Christine Burke

Honors Theses

The aim of this study is to offer an assessment of the common themes in feminist, Lacanian psychoanalytic and deconstructionist theory. It will then discuss the degree to which these three discourses allow us to grasp the implications of the political socialization which occurs through television programming directed primarily at children.

There are points of commonality and discordance between these approaches. My aim will not be to make the argument that one approach is best, nor to arrive at a final synthesis. Rather, I construe these theoretical approaches as different lenses through which we can apprehend and evaluate the messages …

Controlling Corporate Crime Through Reform Of The Criminal Justice System, Mary A. Vogt

Honors Theses

Corporate crime, according to Clinard and Yeager (1980: 16), "is any act that is committed by corporations which is punishable by the state, regardless of whether it is punished under administrative, civil, or criminal law". This form of crime is a major social problem within our society (Kramer, 1982). The purpose of this project is to examine a variety of proposals to improve the capability of the criminal justice system to control the problem of corporate crime, and to make specific recommendations for reform.

Out Of Control: An Exploration Into The Dynamics Of Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia And The Consequences For The Sufferer And Those Around Her, Shenandoah M. Cardwell

Honors Theses

A theoretical and personal exploration into the dynamics of anorexia nervosa and bulimia was conducted with reviews of literature, interviews, and personal accounts. A basic definition of the problem according to the DSM-III was stated. Discussed in detail are factors which contribute to a possible predisposition for developing an eating disorder; these include the physiological/biological, psychological, familial and societal. The effects of eating disorders on those persons around an anorexic or bulimic were explained along with a special section emphasizing the epidemic of eating disorders on college campuses. Emphasis was placed on the importance of the role of helper in …

Self Efficacy, Locus Of Control, And Physical Ability, E. Catherine Edmiston

Honors Theses

This research investigated the relationship among two personality variables- locus of control (LOC) and self efficacy (SE)- and perceptions of physical ability for a specific sport. In the first phase of the research, tennis players (12-14 year old males), their parents, their coaches, and three objective raters were asked to rate the players' physical talent. In phase two the players were ranked by a computer that based the rankings on their overall performance for a year. After these rankings were published the same groups were again asked to rate the players' physical talent. The ratings are compared to each other …

The Effect Of Parental Pressure On Athletic Performance, Jessica A. Bumsted

Honors Theses

The current study will focus on the role of the parent in the child's youth sport involvement, concentrating primarily on the socialization process into sport, the effects of parental pressure and expectations (perceived by both parent and child), conceptions of ability, and a child's attributions to success and/or failure in terms of locus of control and self-efficacy.

Self Efficacy, Locus Of Control, And Task Difficulty As Predictors In Athletic Competition, Glen F. Cox

Honors Theses

With the increasingly competitive nature of athletics today there has been a great deal of interest in the various factors contributing to athletic success. Athletes are bigger and faster, stronger and more physically fit than ever before. Yet there is another factor, a psychological one, that seems to be a key ingredient in the ultimate success of any athlete.

The Cultural Significance Of Religious Festivals Of Seville: Holy Week And The Romeria Of Rocio, Brent Metz

Honors Theses

This project began long before I traveled to Spain. With the guidance of Dr. Smith, I wrote preliminary questionnaires and learned research methods and interviewing techniques in the fall, 1985. He also assisted me in writing a research proposal for the Waldo-Sangren Scholarship, and this award made my trip to Spain possible. In addition, I collected books and other information from Western's Waldo Library and from professors and friends who had previously been in Spain. Although I later modified my questionnaires and changed my conception of religious festivals in Seville, my preparation last fall was critical in orienting myself to …

The Relationship Of Stress, Coping, And Social Support To Depression, Katherine B. Wissman

Honors Theses

The relationship of the sources, mediators, and manifestations of stress were examined in a review of the literature. Stress is comprised of microstressors and daily hassles in addition to negative life events and changes. Direct, problem-focused coping mechanisms were found to be more effective in reducing stress than emotion-focused strategies. Social support reduces stress through strong main effects, but the interaction of stress and support depends on the specific types of stress and support under study.

The Effects Of Sex Typing, On The Perception Of Gender In Projected Animal Content, Steven J. Lash

Honors Theses

The present study replicates and extends Lash and Polyson's (1986) findings that a majority of mental images of commonly projected animals are gender associated. In the present study 91 subjects created mental images of the same animals and rated them on degree of masculinity-femininity and clarity on seven point Likert scales. The two studies were very consistent for feminine animals, but many of the masculine associated animals in the original study were found to be non-gender associated. With few exceptions the gender associations generalized across sex type as measured by the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, visualizing ability, and sex of subject. …

Observational Investigation Of School-Aged Children's Peer Relations, Darcy Milhaven

Honors Theses

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of early peer relations in the social and emotional development of children (Hartup, 1983; Cowen, Pederson, Babagian, Izzo, & Trost, 1973; Roffl Sells, & Golden, 1972). The recognition of the contribution of peer relations to later adult adjustment has lead to a significant increase in the investigation of children's social relations. In particular, three general methodologies have been employed in these studies. First, informant reports with their origin in the sociometric tradition have utilized peer-, adult-, and self-reports to assess children's social reputations, behavioral characteristics, and self-perceptions (e.g., …

Styles Of Leadership : Leader Behavior In A Crisis Situation, Jacqueline J. Delisle

Honors Theses

This study examined leadership behavior in a simulated crisis situation. The subjects were 16 undergraduate students enrolled in a leadership class. Subjects completed a leadership behavior questionnaire, and two leaders were chosen on the basis of their scores. The remainder of the subjects were assigned to groups in a manner which balanced their average scores. The findings indicated that the appointed leaders made significantly less suggestions as emergent leaders arose and gained power. Possibilities for future research were proposed.

The Future Of Elderly Women : Psychosocial Factors Influencing The Aging Transition, Michelle Dever

Honors Theses

In the U.S. today there is an increasing number of elderly in the population. There are over twenty million persons who are 65 years of age and older. It is predicted that there will be over 32 million older Americans by the year 2000. There has been a greater increase in the number of older women compared to men with women having a greater life expectancy also. The effects of aging on individuals and their ability to adapt to society needs to examined in our society today. There is a special need to study elderly women and the difficulties they …

Effects Of The Color Analysis Process On The Self-Concept Of Women, Sherry Tanenbaum

Honors Theses

This study used a pre/post test design to investigate the effects of a color analysis by Suzanne Cagyill on the self-concept of women. The individual's value system was examined for its effect on integration of the color process. Personality correlations of participants using Suzanne's Season typology were also investigated. Ninety-eight subjects, 94 women and 4 men, completed both the California Personality Inventory (CPI) and the Gordon Allport Scale of Values. Pre-test and post-test pictures were also taken of each subject. A subgroup of approximately 45 women received a more intense analysis in addition to the general color analysis. A two …

The Effects Of Birth Order Upon Personality, Laura W. Quarles

Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between birth order and personality with particular attention paid to the first born as opposed to other children. Familial differences in the early socialization of various ordinal positions are explored. Their impact upon first borns calls for a study of the needs and social characteristics of oldest children. Differences in sociability from early childhood through adulthood are also investigated as are birth order effects within mentally ill populations. Finally, the methodological problems in birth order research are explored.

An Analysis Of The Significance Of Systemic Power In Chattanooga Decision Making, Franklin Chancey

Honors Theses

At the end of the Civil War, Chattanooga, like many southern cities, was beset by a wave of northern citizens eager to help rebuild the ravaged south. These carpetbaggers, the forebearers of some of Chattanooga's wealthiest families, began many important industries still in operation today. In fact, for most Chattanoogans, the names Probasco, Lupton, Guerry, and others are synonymous with great wealth. The members of this group, the descendants of those reconstruction era carpetbaggers, are at the top of Chattanooga's socioeconomic structure. If newspaper surveys are correct, this group is perceived by the public as running the city's affairs. Two …

Program Evaluation Of St. Mary's Hospice, Lyn M. Harper

Honors Theses

The purpose of this program evaluation was to identify the needs of families of terminally ill patients and their perceptions of their loved ones needs. Another objective was to determine if these needs were met in St. Mary's Hospice Program and who responded to these needs. Subjects consisted of ten randomly chosen family members, nine females and one male, ages forty to eighty, who had lost loved ones enrolled in the hospice program at least six months prior to the study. The subjects had not received volunteer bereavement care prior to the evaluation. Responses to need questionnaires and interviews indicated …

Environmental Psychology : Theory, Methodology, And Research, Ellen R. Divers

Honors Theses

The purpose of this literature review is to introduce the reader to the emerging field of environmental psychology. The first section deals with problems and challenges of theory and methodology in environmental psychology, and is followed by samples of research in the areas of visual perception, noise, and spatial perception. Finally, two areas, women and the environment and residential satisfaction, selected by the author as important topics for further investigation, are described briefly. It is concluded that since environmental psychology appears to be growing as a field, it is crucial that clear communication be established between environmental designers and those …

The Effects Of Subject Assertiveness On Perceived Assertiveness Of Others, Lisa E. Robertori, Sandra D. Hulbert

Honors Theses

The effects of subject-assertiveness on perceived assertiveness in others were investigated. A subject's assertiveness level was determined by scores on the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. Subjects were randomly assigned to watch a videotape portraying a low-, medium-, or high-assertive actor and then asked to rate the actor on a 14-item semantic differential scale and on the Impact Message Inventory. Several Pearson product-moment correlations revealed significant results, supporting the original hypothesis. Suggestions for future research are included.

Family And Peer Relations Of Conduct Disorder And Hyperactive Children, Katy N. Morrison

Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the influence of the family and the peer systems on the development and maintenance of conduct disorder and hyperactivity. In the first section, the diagnostic criteria for children with conduct disorder and hyperactivity, the behavioral characteristics and prevalence of these disorders, as well as the controversy over differential diagnosis between these two disorders will be presented. Following this, the significant familial determinants of these two disorders will be discussed. Finally, the peer determinants of conduct disorder and hyperactivity will be presented.

Cognitive Development In Females : Effects On Self-Esteem And Achievement Motivation, Mary Miller

Honors Theses

The recent years, with changing roles for males and females, have in addition generated both questions and research about the psychological nature of men and women. If differences do indeed exist, they are no longer accepted as permanent and unchangeable. If nothing else, recent social change has made us aware that one's ideas and concepts about social order are much more challengeable than we thought previously. Research in these areas is particularly fascinating in that it has direct implications for how we live, relate to one another, challenge ourselves, and even raise our children.

One area that is of interest …