Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Prostitution In U.S. Society: Moving Beyond Traditional Feminist Frameworks Of Analysis, Megan M. Coats

Masters Theses

In this thesis, I explore the different ways that prostitute women's voices have been silenced by groups which have historically controlled the social and academic discourse on prostitution. Utilizing the research method of standpoint epistemology, I first discuss why the prostitute activist's voices must be considered as the central source for scientists theorizing on prostitution. Next, I give an account of some historical influences which have shaped the discourse on prostitution, affecting the development of legislation regulating prostitution. Then, I provide a history of the development of the liberal and radical feminist discourse on prostitution. I also include some contemporary …

A Multiplicity Of Goals In A Migrant Household, Patrick James Maher

Masters Theses

This paper explores data collected on Mexican migrants who were living in southwestern Michigan during the Spring and Summer of 1994. Its purpose is to examine the role of the family among one migrant household and to determine whether the findings coincide with other studies completed on Mexican migrant families.

The data examined indicates two major problems in applying its findings to current migration literature. The first involves the concept of a 'united family unit' and the second relates to the notion of a 'common family goal.' The data suggests that the theory on which these concepts are based must …

Spatial And Ethnic Patterns Of Real Estate Control Affecting Upward Mobility Of Immigrants In A Nineteenth Century Industrial Community, Debra S. Alfonso

Masters Theses

The subject of immigrant success has previously been analyzed in the context of ethnic characteristics, individual heroism, worker solidarity, and advancement of industrialization. Most immigrants start at the bottom of the social-economic ladder. The mechanisms of advancement vary depending on both ethnic values and the constraints of the socioeconomic system. The key variable is normally thought to be advancing occupational status.

The problem addressed is how did recent immigrants to a 19th century steel-town obtain home ownership and advancement in spite of declining industrial wages. Using a GIS system to link and analyze geographic and historical records I was able …

The Social Diffusion Of Safe Sex Behaviors In College Women, Sherry Pagoto

Masters Theses

With the ever rising numbers of people becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as reported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 1997) the need for preventing the spread of infection is clear. One promising intervention, based on a theory called social diffusion, involves training popular opinion leaders to act as behavior change endorsers within their community (Kelly, 1991). This study found 25-30% reductions in high-risk behaviors and 16-18% increases in safe sex behaviors in a male homosexual population as a result of this type of intervention. The current study examines the effectiveness of this intervention within a …

Phonological Awareness Training: Effects On Phonological Awareness And Reading Skills, Cassie Nelson

Masters Theses

Past research has established that phonological awareness skills are an important precursor to the development of reading (Jenkins & Bowen, 1994; Catts & Karnhi, 1986; Bradley & Bryant, 1978; Frith, 1981). Results of numerous phonological awareness training programs have been published (Ball & Blachman, 1988, 1991; Lundberg, Frost, & Petersen, 1988; Bradley & Bryant, 1983, 1985), however, none have compared the roles of professionals involved in teaching phonological awareness skills. Additionally, the effectiveness of various service delivery models has not been reported. This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of a phonological awareness training program on kindergarten children's phonological …

Perceptions Related To Healthful Eating And Physical Activity Among Eastern Illinois University Students, Wendy N. Zaucha

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Of The Cross-Age Tutoring Program Offered At Lincoln Trail College, Cora J. Weger

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Birth Order On Depression, Kelley Grinstead

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Women In Sports Journalism: Do The Barriers Still Exist?, Brandice A. Padgett

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A New Approach To Expectation Theory: Rationality Revisited, Tamas Forgacs

Masters Theses

Expectations play an important role in economics. Traditionally two major branches of expectation theory are distinguished: that of adaptive and rational expectations. This study sets out the goal of investigating inflationary expectations based on real world experiences. The model proposed and tested here abandons the traditional fixed-time-interval-update models for a non-fixed-time-interval-update model. Although the penalty function attached to each error is still subject to debate, it is shown that by reacting with faster updates to errors in expectations economic agents achieve more precise expectations compared to those of a fix time interval update model. We also find the model rational …

Syntactic And Semantic Properties Of Intensive Reflexives In English, Marek R. Marciniak

Masters Theses

This thesis explores syntactic and semantic properties of intensive reflexives (IRs) in English. The study is based on examples selected from the following on-line databases: Wilson Humanities Abstracts and The New York Times Book Review Digest Abstracts. The analysis also incorporates examples cited from linguistic articles on the subject of RRs and IRs.

As opposed to regular reflexives (RRs), IRs have not been given sufficient consideration in linguistic accounts. As a point of departure, the author utilizes Quirk's and Greenbaum's descriptive framework to examine the evidence from the database. Since RRs are discussed more extensively than IRs in this framework, …

How West Germany's Ostpolitik Contributed To German Unification, Lothar J. Noetzoldt

Masters Theses

This thesis describes and examines two decades of political relations between East and West Germany and their respective allies, and also presents a thorough analysis of political developments and events that took place from the beginning of West German Ostpolitk in 1969 until unification on October 1990. The term unification is used because Germany was not re-unified within the pre-war borders of 1937.

One of the principal goals of this thesis focuses on the discussion on the influence Ostpolitik alongside with the policy of rapprochement toward the GDR and USSR had on achieving a working relationship between Bonn and East …

Relations Of Explanatory Style, Learning Orientation, And Gender With Children's Academic Performance, Jennifer Grubar

Masters Theses

Several explanations have been offered to account for sex differences in academic achievement patterns. Two in particular have been looked at extensively in past research: learned helplessness/mastery orientation theory and attribution theory (explanatory style). Most studies look at these two explanations separately, but it seems important to examine them together. The present study explored how learning orientation, explanatory style and gender relate to children's academic performance.

The hypotheses of this study were that more girls would fall into the helpless category, but would still be optimistic and would have higher grade point averages (GPA' s). More boys were expected to …

Predicting Rape Myth Acceptance In College, Kurt E. Hegeman

Masters Theses

This study examined how the following factors found in the American college experience predicted college students' acceptance of myths concerning rape: students' gender, personal knowledge of a rape survivor, attitude toward alcohol consumption, actual alcohol consumption, and fraternity/sorority (Greek) membership. Eighty-eight male and 239 female college students completed a demographic survey, the Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (Payne, 1993), and the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (Brown, Christ, and Goldman, 1987). Results indicate that the college students' actual alcohol consumption rate was not predictive of rape myth acceptance. However, all other factors examined in the study interacted in predicting rape myth acceptance. …

Differences In Burnout Among Special Education Teachers, Mike D. De Boer

Masters Theses

A random sample of special education teachers in Iowa completed survey materials including the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a demographic and background information questionnaire (N=179). Results suggested that special educators in Iowa generally experience moderate levels of emotional exhaustion, low levels of depersonalization, and low levels of personal accomplishment. Demographic factors (e.g., age, gender, years of experience) did not predict burnout, nor did most job-related factors (e.g., number of students served, type of classroom setting) . The only factor found to predict burnout in this study was the type of student served. Future research should focus on individual factors that …

Occupational Stress Levels And Perceived Stressors Of College Athletic Directors In The Midwest, Jennifer R. Venzon

Masters Theses

Increasing job responsibilities of athletic directors (ADs) may lead to higher occupational stress (OS) levels, and as a result, increased health risks. Identification of work stressors may help individuals to better prepare for their job requirements and cope with OS.

This study was designed to determine the effects of individual demographics on stress and to identify the perceived OS levels of ADs, their major stress-causing tasks and stressors. Surveys were sent to college athletic directors in the Midwest (N=72); 76.4% of the surveys were received (n=55).

The sample reported high degrees of stress evident in their profession, but indicated low …

Gender And University Athletic Status As Factors In Rape Myth Acceptance, Johanna L. Moore

Masters Theses

Two hundred eighty-seven students representing each of the four undergraduate levels and the graduate level participated in this study. Participants completed questions about personal characteristics and the long form of the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale developed by Diana Payne (1993). A 2 x 2 analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of gender and athletic status (intercollegiate athlete vs. nonathlete) on the overall RMA score and seven subscale scores. Results showed that men had higher rape myth acceptance than women on all subscale scores and total RMA scale. Athletes as a group had higher RMA than nonathletes on …

Effects Of Educational Strategies On The Identification Of Sexual Harassment, Danielle R. Birdeau

Masters Theses

Several studies have demonstrated the pervasiveness of sexual harassment, indicating that approximately one in three women in the workplace report having been victims of sexual harassment, while an estimated one out of two female students experience some form of sexual harassment. Previous research has focused on prevalence and perceptions of sexual harassment with little emphasis on prevention. This study assessed the effectiveness of two different educational strategies which were designed to aid in the prevention of sexual harassment. It was hypothesized that focused training which clearly defines and provides examples of harassing behavior are the best educational model. Results indicate …

Importance Of Nonverbal Communication In The Employment Interview, Michelle E. Milano

Masters Theses

The employment interview includes elements that focus on nonverbal communication. Females and males view these nonverbal cues differently. A total of 22 male and 16 female employment interviewers completed quantitative and qualitative surveys concerning nonverbal cues. The data were analyzed using factor analysis, t-tests, and thematic analysis. Five factors, including self-presentation, coverbal cues, appearance, touch, and interviewee sex, emerged from the factor analysis. At 0.05, the t-tests show that females do perceive more nonverbal cues than do males. The qualitative results provide further insight into the quantitative results. These findings show the importance of nonverbal cues during an employment interview.

Effects Of Locus Of Control And Timing Of Retirement On Retirement Satisfaction, Denise A. Lathrop

Masters Theses

Previous research to determine which factors predict one's satisfaction with retirement documents varying results. 200 retired Eastern Illinois University professors were surveyed to determine the effects of two factors, locus of control and timing of retirement, considered important on retirement satisfaction. A comparison was made between internal and external locus of control subjects who were placed into three conditions: those who retire early (before age 61), those who retire within the normal or average range (ages 62-66), and those who retire late (later than age 67). The first hypothesis was that those who retire early will have the highest level …

Historical Romances: An Analysis Of Co-Constructed Narratives From Engaged Couples, Katie Himes

Masters Theses

By studying the manner in which romantic partners tell accounts of their relationship events, researchers can gain insight into the process of relational development. This study examines how five engaged couples socially construct their own shared reality. Using critical incidents, couples first individually described three critical incidents common to engaged couples, including: their first meeting, worst fight, and decision to become a mutually exclusive couple. Next, couples collaborated to produce a shared narrative of significant events in the relationship. Through content analysis, the use of conflict avoidance is examined as a means of creating the collective reality. This research provides …

Intercultural Romantic Couples' Interactive Construction Of Relational Culture, Amie D. Kincaid

Masters Theses

This study explores intercultural romantic couples and their interactive construction of relational culture. Qualitative methods of inquiry appeared most useful for identifying the processes involved in the social construction of intimates' shared reality and, so, both Conversation Analysis and Joint Interviews were utilized. Five romantic couples whose partners were socilaized within different cultural communities participated in the study. Findings of this study suggest that intercultural romantic couples import cultural resources from their individual cultures into their joint relational culture. These cultural resources included foods, traditions, language, and values. Findings of ths study also suggest that two types of communicative episodes, …

The Potential Of Token Tension: An Examination Of The Keynote Addresses Of Barbara Jordan And Susan Molinari, Julie E. Ferris

Masters Theses

Political parties are both an influential and an integral part of American politics. Parties are constantly trying to protect and expand this influence in many different ways; primarily by appearing inclusive of all groups. One strategy in this effort is to employ the use of token individuals who both symbolize the groups that the party wants to feel included and encourage a belief about the overall inclusive character of the political party. Thus, an examination of the creation of these token individuals and their use within the party becomes necessary. To do this, a critique of the rhetoric tokens produce …

Race-Class Interactions In Stereotyping, Claudine Hoffman Truong

Masters Theses

The present study investigated race and class stereotypes about Whites and African-Americans. The study recruited 160 subjects (eighty White and eighty African-American). Each subject read a brief class and race description of a person, and listed ten adjectives rating how positive or negative they intended the adjective to be. They also had to place themselves in a class and rate the importance of criteria used in that class placement. The study revealed that African-American (A.A.) subjects gave highest ratings to a person described as A.A., and White (W.) subjects gave highest ratings to a person described as W. Furthermore, subjects …

Relations Between Parent-Child Interactions And Children's Self-Esteem, Lisa D. Parker

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore how time spent between parents and children in various activities may be related to self-esteem in children. The specific objectives were to explore whether there was a relationship between children's self-esteem and total time children reported spending with mothers and fathers; whether there were relations between time spent participating in activities and self-esteem for each of the four parent-child dyads (Mother-Daughter, Mother-Son, Father-Daughter, and Father-Son); whether there were relations between specific activities done with parents and children's self-esteem; and whether enjoyment levels reported by children participating in each activity were significantly correlated …

Comparison Of Ability-Achievement Discrepancies Among The Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Woodcock-Johnson-Revised Tests Of Achievement, And Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children-Third Edition In A Sample Of Students Referred For Evaluation Of Learning Disabilities, Tracy L. Cole

Masters Theses

Under current IDEA definitions, a significant or severe discrepancy between intellectual ability and academic achievement is the primary criterion by which a student may be classified as having a specific learning disability. By recommendation of the Work Group on Measurement Issues in the Assessment of Learning Disabilities (1984), the most common method of determining such a discrepancy is to calculate the discrepancy between an individual's score on an individually administered intelligence test and his/her score on an individually administered achievement test using a regression-based formula to correct for the regression of IQ on achievement.

Because two previous studies suggested that …

Teachers' Acceptability Ratings Of Arbitrary Versus Functional Based Reinforcers, Cheryl Lungaro

Masters Theses

Whether teachers find a reinforcer based on a functional assessment more acceptable than an arbitrarily selected reinforcer was investigated. Participants consisted of 94 elementary school teachers from 11 (8 rural, 3 suburban) schools in Illinois. Teachers were asked to complete the Intervention Rating Profile-15 after reading one of the three problem vignettes that described a common behavior problem that was maintained by peer attention. In one condition the proposed treatment included peer attention as a reward; the two remaining conditions included teacher attention and tangible items as rewards. A one-way ANOVA revealed a significant preference for the treatments based on …

Multilingualism & Interference: The More Languages We Speak, The More Interference We Experience?, Shelly Ng

Masters Theses

The current study investigates whether interference among languages is related to the number of languages learned. The hypothesis being examined is: The more languages one speaks, the more interference one experiences among the languages. This hypothesis was tested on 44 subjects who participated in the Stroop color-word test. The subjects consisted of 15 monolinguals, 14 bilinguals, and 15 multilinguals. The results suggest that the number of languages one speaks fluently has no effect on that person's response speed. The data suggest that fluency is the key to quickness in the Stroop test. In addition, female subjects responded significantly more quickly …

"She Protects Her Girls": The Legend Of Mary Hawkins At Pemberton Hall, Margaret Allen-Kline

Masters Theses

The tradition of the legend of Mary Hawkins provides an example of how urban legends develop and circulate in a community. The legend is a part of a larger tradition of story telling and of urban legends such as "The Roommate's Death" which follow the same format. The legend is believed to be true, and many believe an actual event is the basis for the story. It is perpetuated by word of mouth, and like a ripple in a still body of water, it reaches beyond the campus and into the mainstream of the local community by means of the …

Internet Access In East Central Illinois Public K-12 Schools, Gary Thomas Grissom Ii

Masters Theses

Internet access is becoming increasingly important to the public K-12 school system. This descriptive study reports on the current state of Internet access in east central Illinois public K-12 schools. Baseline data for Internet access have been collected that can be used to measure future progress. This study determined that 84.2 percent of public schools in east central Illinois have building level Internet access. Of the schools that reported Internet access, the mean student to computer with Internet access (SIA) ratio was 65.44. The mean student to computer (SCOM) ratio was 8.27. Analysis by type of connection revealed that 20.5 …