Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Cross-Lingual Diphthong Perception: A Simultaneous Eeg/Fmri Investigation, David Olonzo Sorensen

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research indicates that humans develop a phonological library in infancy. As humans grow into adulthood, their phonological library becomes well established. Upon encountering phonemes from a new language, humans process these phonemes by comparison to their native phonological library. Event-related potentials (ERP), specifically the mismatch negativity, have been shown to indicate that this process of comparing non-native phonemes to our native phonological library is not improved through learning the new language as an adult. An alternative explanation may be that there is an underlying change in the neural generators as the non-native phonemes are learned, but that this change …

One Jump Forward, Two Jumps Back: A Qualitative Study Of Parental Issues Raising Adolescents With Autism, Molly Anne Rosenbaum

Theses and Dissertations

There have been numerous investigations seeking to quantify the experience of parents raising adolescents of autism, but remarkably few have looked at the total experience qualitatively, as reported by parents. The present study was conducted along with a larger study for adolescents with autism participating in the PEERS® social skills group intervention, which includes simultaneous parent sessions. This study analyzed comments made in the parent group, identifying the issues parents reported spontaneously through a qualitative analysis of 12 unstructured hour-long sessions including parents (n = 16) and graduate student clinicians. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the …

The Role Of Injury Type (Concussion Versus Orthopedic), Coping Style, Depressive Symptomology, And Neurocognitive Functioning In Predicting Student-Athlete Injury Rehabilitation, Eileen Margaret Croes-Orf

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: To examine the role of injury type, coping style, depressive symptomology, and neurocognitive functioning in student-athlete injury recovery Method: Eighty-two (54.9% male; 45.1% female) students, aged 18-25, from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne Florida were administered the Coping with Health Injuries and Problems and PHQ-9 questionnaires to study the relationship between coping and depressive symptomology. Baseline neurocognitive functioning data from ImPACT scores were gathered in both student athlete groups. Participants in the concussion group were assessed with the ImPACT during their follow-up concussion management appointments at the Florida Tech Neuropsychology Laboratory. Results: A significant interaction was found …

Profile Patterns Of Sex Offenders Using The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory- Second Edition- Restructured Form (Mmpi-2-Rf), Renee Vanslyke

Theses and Dissertations

Personality assessment of sex offenders provides clarifying information regarding underlying characteristics that may contribute to commission of sex offenses. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and its second edition, the MMPI-2, have been the most extensively used personality measures in the psychological assessment of sex offenders. The latest version of the test, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Second Edition, Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is the focus of the current study. The current study evaluated MMPI-2-RF profiles obtained from a sample of 281 adult male sex offenders. The mean age of the sample was 36.3 (SD = 13.1; range = 18 – …

A Comparison Of Verbal And Standard Selection-Based Preferences Using The Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement Method For Children With Developmental Disabilities, Devon Mcmahon

Theses and Dissertations

Since DeLeon and Iwata (1996) published their seminal study on multiple stimulus preference assessments, the research surrounding preference assessments utilizing multiple stimuli has grown immensely. This has led to many variations of DeLeon and Iwata’s (1996) original preference assessment. Variations have included preference assessments conducted with videos, pictures, and activities. We compared the results of a standard tangible multiple stimulus without replacement preference assessment (MSWO) to a verbal multiple stimulus without replacement preference assessment with four individuals with developmental disabilities. A reinforcer assessment was conducted following each preference assessment to assess accuracy. Idiosyncratic results were found across participants. For two …

Sink Or Swim: Maximizing The Impact Of 360° Feedback In Leader Development, Leah Joyce Ellison

Theses and Dissertations

Leader development initiatives prescribed as isolated events often fall short of their intended outcomes (Avolio, Reichard, Hannah, Walumbwa, & Chan, 2009). Initiatives should instead be enacted as part of an ongoing developmental process that encourages continuous learning and self-improvement through an “integrated set of experiences” (Hernez-Broome & Hughes, 2004). The current study proposes that a combination of factors throughout this continuous process, both external to and within leaders, significantly impact the outcomes following a 360° feedback leader development program (360 LDP). External factors such as a leader’s feedback environment and perceived quality of coaching relationship with his or her boss …

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent-Restructured Form (Mmpi-A-Rf) With Juvenile Drug Court Adjudicated Outpatient Adolescents, Mary Caitlin Fertitta

Theses and Dissertations

Many psychological disorders have their beginnings or foundations during the critical developmental period of adolescence. Substance use is particularly problematic at this time because of its risk for continuation into adulthood and because of the many problems associated with it, such as delinquency, family conflict, and poor emotional adjustment. Accurate assessment of emotional and behavioral disturbances in adolescents is important for directing treatment and intervention. This study aimed to contribute reference data for this specific population to the growing body of research with the newly published Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent-Restructured Form (MMPI-A­RF). The central purposes of this study were to …

A Pokébalancing Act: The Management Of Japanese Cultural “Odor ” In Pokémon, Nicholas Raes

Theses and Dissertations

In this project, I analyzed two seasons of the Pokémon anime to discover patterns of cultural “odor” management employed by the show’s producers and editors. In the first season of Pokémon, the producers of the anime included many symbolic representations of Japanese cultural artifacts within the visual features of the show. However, between the Japanese and US versions of the season, most instances of Japanese linguistic text were either “scrubbed” from scenes entirely or replaced with English text. These techniques struck a careful balance between including and excluding Japanese specificity within the first season, subtly expressing to non-Japanese audiences the …

Visual And Verbal Serial List Learning In Patients With Statistically-Determined Mild Cognitive Impairment, Victor J. Wasserman

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To compare verbal versus visual serial list learning test performance in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and assess relationships between serial list learning and hippocampal volume. Methods: Patients were diagnosed with non-MCI, amnestic MCI (aMCI), and combined mixed/dysexecutive MCI (mixed/dysMCI). Outcome measures included immediate/delay free recall, and delay recognition performance from the 12-word Philadelphia Verbal Learning Test (PrVLT) and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). Lateral hippocampal volumes were obtained. Results: Non-MCI patients scored better than other groups on P(r)VLT immediate/delay free recall. aMCI patients scored lower than other groups on P(r)VLT delay recognition. Non-MCI patients were …

Mental Illness, Recovery, And Employment: A Grounded Theory, Francine M. Bates

Theses and Dissertations

This grounded theory study provides knowledge into the enduring unemployment of individuals in recovery from serious mental illness (SMI) who additionally receive supplemental security disability benefits (SSI). A constructivist framework was used in the development and implementation of this study. Grounded theory methods for data coding and analysis consisted of initial, focused and theoretical coding. Analysis continued in the development of theoretical concepts and emergent theory. Findings emphasize the complexity and amalgamation of study participants lived experiences that sustain unemployment. Theoretical concepts presented in this study are, composite barrier, encumbering reality, the obstructing impact of ambivalence and the someday dream …

The Power Of Rhetoric In Game Of Thrones: How Gender And Language Reflect Character Development, Keely Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis draws connections between literary studies, gender studies, and rhetorical studies to analyze how gender and language reflect character development in Game of Thrones. In this thesis, I use the literary studies approach of close reading in conjunction with methodologies from Gender Studies and Rhetoric to analyze how gender and language inform character development in Game of Thrones. I propose that the female characters, particularly Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen, are far more successful than their male counterparts in terms of developing as characters and mastering the language around them, giving them access to social and political power.

#Followme: An Investigation Into The Relationship Between Social Media Presence And Online Harassment, Tabrina M. Bratton

Theses and Dissertations

Social media is a relatively new global phenomenon. Virtual places provide criminogenic motivators like financial gain, access to suitable targets, and massive amounts information all under one virtual roof. Additionally, social media sites host large amounts of people in one space, generating significant opportunity for victimization. Despite the Internet’s theoretical relevance to understanding victimization, scholarly research into the effects of social media activity in victimization is scarce. Using data from the Pew Research Center, I investigated the relationship between Facebook use and online harassment among adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age. The results showed that an adolescent’s behavior …

Do Contextual Factors Matter In Juvenile Transfer Decisions? A Longitudinal Multilevel Analysis Of Juvenile Waivers To Adult Court, Brenda Faye Prochaska

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has examined factors that affect transfers to adult court. Offender race, age, and gender, along with offense type and seriousness have all been found to influence transfers to adult court. Existing studies have not examined the association between county characteristics and transfers to adult court. County characteristics, such as poverty and education, influence other portions of the juvenile justice and criminal justice system. Furthermore, most of the research examining transfers to adult court has been cross-sectional. It is important to examine transfers to adult court longitudinally because it is possible that as factors change over time, the influence …

Sex Offending Patterns Of Convicted Male Sex Offenders Who Were Sexually Victimized During Childhood: A Qualitative Study, Mollee Katherin Steely

Theses and Dissertations

The cycle of violence hypothesis assumes individuals who are subjected to abuse as children have an increased probability of becoming sexual abusers in the future. This hypothesis has frequently been applied to the etiological development of sex offending. The majority of existing literature has focused on long-term consequences of child sexual abuse for females, neglecting how sexual victimization can affect males. The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship between adult male sex offenders and their abusers in efforts to understand their experiences with sexual abuse. Data was derived from 40 interviews with adult male sex offenders …

Measuring Misconduct: A Theoretically Integrated Examination Of The Correlates Of Inmate Misconduct In A State Prison System, Jacob M. Laan

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the differential influence of imported inmate characteristics, the deprivations of the prison environment, and situational determinants on inmate misconduct. Using a systematic, iterative model-building process, this study also investigates and provides support for alternative measurement and operationalization strategies for several key constructs used throughout misconduct literature. Finally, this study employs both single equation models and hierarchical generalized linear models to demonstrate not only the variable influence of certain predictors, but also the importance of context.

“Digjitalizimi Dhe Pluraliteti Medial Në Kosovë”, Xheneta Veliu

Theses and Dissertations

Transmetimi televiziv digjital tokësor është një format i ri i transmetimit që i mundëson shikuesit të marrë video dhe audio sinjale më cilësore sesa transmetimin televizioni analog.. Ky kalim i televizionit nga analog në digjital isjell shiquesit dhe publikut në përgjithësi shumë dobi. Qëllimi i këtij punimi është që të trajtoj rëndësinë e transmetimit digjital në Republikën e Kosovës, sfidat dhe progresin e arritur në këtë proces. Duke u bazuar në dokumentet dhe literaturat referenciale ky punim përmbledh zhvillimin e procesit të digjitalizimit të transmetimit tokësorë në Kosovë, duke analizuar gjithashtu edhe parapërgatitjet, kushtet përmbajtjesore dhe teknike, si dhe teknologjinë …

Individual Similarities And Regional Differences: The Impact Of 2015 Refugee Crisis On Europeans’ Attitudes Toward Immigration, Liri Kosovare Bllaca

Theses and Dissertations

Whereas the extant literature has found much similarities in determinants and correlates of individual attitudes toward immigration to Europe there is less attention on Europe’s regional-based attitudes. We try to unpack this puzzle by accounting for attitude variations that the 2015 Europe’s refugee crisis brought about in three geopolitical regions of the continent, namely EU member countries from former communist Eastern Europe, EU member countries from Western Europe and non-EU Western countries. We argue that whereas some socioeconomic factors and other attitudinal variables predict the same reaction toward more/less immigration from poor countries outside Europe, trust in institutions and their …

Ndërtimi I Sovranitetittë Kosovës Në Tranzicion, Nol Kristaj

Theses and Dissertations

Në këtë punim jam përpjekur që temë të përmban një përmbledhje, kronologji dhe analizë të gjithë procesit që ka përshkuar Kosovën në periudhën që nga lufta, pastaj misoni i OKB-se, shpallja e pavarësisë dhe konsilidimi i shtetësis.

Kosova kishte identitetin e saj territorial, kryeqytetin e vet, qeverinë e vet përgjegjëse për kuvendin e vet, kushtetutën dhe gjykatën kushtetuese dhe sistemin e vet të drejtësisë. Dallimi i vetëm midis Kosovës dhe republikave ishte se Kosova nuk ishte formalisht republikë, por "vetëm" një krahinë.

Prej 13 qershorit të vitit 1999, kur forcat serbe u detyruan të largoheshin nga Kosova, ky vend administrohej …

A Hermeneutic Exploration Of The Therapeutic Process Of Clinicians At An Eating Disorder Treatment Center, Sabree Anne Crowton

Theses and Dissertations

Eating disorders remain extremely difficult to treat and investigation has revealed that manual-based eating disorder treatment outcomes have failed to improve over the second half of the last century. Various studies have observed that clinicians use evidence-based treatments for eating disorders inconsistently and often exclude fundamental theoretical techniques. Some argue that this departure from evidence-based practice may in some cases be the efforts of clinicians to develop methods more sensitive to real world situations. It stands to reason that some of the techniques currently being used by clinicians are promising treatment approaches. The purpose of this study was to explore …

Evaluating The Criterion Validity And Classification Accuracy Of Universal Screening Measures In Reading, Asia Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Educators use universal screening in the context of Response to Intervention frameworks to identify students who may be at risk for not meeting proficiency on the state assessment. Given the potential high-stakes of state tests, using accurate screening systems is critical for early remediation. Independent research is emerging on comprehensive and expensive reading screeners such as the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), a computer adaptive test, and the Strategic Teaching Evaluation of Progress (STEP), a developmental reading assessment. The current study evaluated the criterion-related validity of MAP and STEP with a state assessment. Additionally, the utility of each screening measure …

The Effect Of Medicaid Expansion On Heart Attack Mortality, Gabrielle Epelle

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study is to estimate the effect of Medicaid expansion on the number of deaths from heart attacks using a difference in differences model. We modified the standard difference in differences framework to by including both state and year fixed effects to account for the fact that states expanded Medicaid at different times. Furthermore, we added state specific linear time trends as well as state unemployment rates as controls to test the robustness of the model. We obtained our data from the Center for Disease Control’s Underlying Causes of Death Database. We found that Medicaid expansion had …

Service Use Among Individuals With Serious Mental Illness & Physical Health Problems, Laura May Kurzban

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: This study examined the relationship between (a) physical health problems among individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI), (b) their demographic and psychosocial characteristics which may be risk and protective factors for physical health problems, and (c) the use of mental health case management services. Methods: Data collected from community mental health center consumers residing in supported housing (N = 357) included number of self-reported physical health problems and impairment. Services use and billing data were collected on targeted case management (TCM) and mental illness management services (MIMS). Results: Regression models indicated that …

How S. C. Daily Newspapers Framed The Removal Of The Confederate Flag From The State House Grounds In 2015 Through Letters To The Editor And Editorials, Thomas Craig Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The removal of the Confederate flag from the State House grounds in Columbia, South Carolina during the summer of 2015 was an action that had been discussed previously in the state since the flag went up over the State House in 1961. While the state legislature acted swiftly to have the flag removed after Gov. Nikki Haley’s announcement on June 22, the two and a half weeks between her announcement and removal on July 10 was filled with opinions from citizens all across the state and in areas of the United States where Confederate monuments and memorials still have a …

Integration Of Theory And Feasibility In Learning Disability Identification: Examining Criteria Effects In The Integrated Assessment And Intervention Model, Allison Stafford

Theses and Dissertations

The accurate identification of learning disabilities is critical for applied settings as well as for research purposes. Currently, there are multiple methods of learning disability (LD) identification utilized by practitioners, including: IQ/achievement discrepancy, response to intervention, and patterns of strengths and weakness (Hale & Fiorello, 2004). Despite the use of these methods, there is a lack of research on the validity and the rates of Learning Disability identification associated with these methods. Additionally, the use of different methods creates potential differences in the base rates of students identified as having a learning disability. Further, the identification of learning disabilities needs …

Velocity Model For Co2 Sequestration In The Southeastern United States Atlantic Continental Margin, John Ollmann

Theses and Dissertations

The sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) is emerging as a major player in offsetting anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. With 40% of the United States’ anthropogenic CO2 emissions originating in the southeast, characterizing potential CO2 sequestration sites is vital to reducing the United States’ emissions. The overall goal of this research project, funded by the Department of Energy, is to estimate the CO2 storage potential for the Southeastern United States Atlantic Continental Margin. Previous studies find storage potential in the Atlantic continental margin. Up to 16 Gt and 175 Gt of storage potential are estimated for the Upper Cretaceous and Lower …

The Impact Of Social Desirability On An Individual’S Scale Of Accurate Personality Prediction (Sapp) Score, Alexander James Kiss

Theses and Dissertations

The Scale of Accurate Personality Prediction (SAPP), developed by Miller (2000), was derived from the 16PF and purports to measure an individual’s ability to accurately assess his or her own self-knowledge. The scores from the SAPP are derived from calculating the absolute value of the difference between the individuals predicted scores on the 16PF, and the individual’s actual scores on the 16PF. The present study aimed to determine if individuals with lower SAPP scores were influenced by social desirability, and if social desirability perception differs by gender. Archival data of 607 individuals was organized into 150 low scoring SAPP individuals …

Ya Gotta Wanna: Shifting Motivational Priorities In The Self-Control Process, Keemia Vaghef

Theses and Dissertations

Self-control has been linked to a range of important academic, social, and achievement-related outcomes (Tangney et al., 2004). However, there are a variety of differing perspectives on the process by which individuals exert self-control. Thus, the self-control process is still ambiguous and there is no single model that researchers have yet to agree upon. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine this self-control process in more detail, drawing from the shifting priorities self-control process model (Inzlicht, Schmeichel, & Macrae, 2014). More specifically, the study examined the distinct influence of regulatory-related constructs, specifically delay of gratification and future time perspective, …

Does A Positive Illusory Bias Mediate The Moderating Effect Of Achievement Orientation On Response To Exclusion In Boys With Adhd?, Alexandria G. Fladhammer

Theses and Dissertations

Disturbed peer relationships have commonly been found to have long-lasting adverse impacts on children, including school dropout, substance abuse, criminal offenses, psychological maladjustment, and academic problems (Mrug et al., 2012). One subgroup of children well-known to struggle with their peer relationships are children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Hoza, 2007). These children often engage in high rate, intrusive behaviors and are excluded from peer interactions (Hoza et al., 2005). The frequent rejection that these children endure highlights the need for research focused on ostracism, the exclusion or ignoring of others by individuals or groups (Williams, 2007). Thus, the purpose of the current …

Generating Strong Diversity Of Opinions: Agent Models Of Continuous Opinion Dynamics, Christopher W. Weimer

Theses and Dissertations

Opinion dynamics is the study of how opinions in a group of individuals change over time. A goal of opinion dynamics modelers has long been to find a social science-based model that generates strong diversity -- smooth, stable, possibly multi-modal distributions of opinions. This research lays the foundations for and develops such a model. First, a taxonomy is developed to precisely describe agent schedules in an opinion dynamics model. The importance of scheduling is shown with applications to generalized forms of two models. Next, the meta-contrast influence field (MIF) model is defined. It is rooted in self-categorization theory and improves …

An Examination Of Victimization Among Traditional And Non-Traditional Female College Students, Jasmine Spears

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine differences between traditional and non-traditional aged victims of sexual assault and their victimizations. This study uses sexual assault victimization data from the 2014 incident files of the National Incident Based Reporting System. From this data, three samples were constructed to look at sexual victimization in all locations, sexual victimization on college campuses, as well as victimizations that occur off campus. Additionally, the age of both victims and offenders are examined to see if there are differences between characteristics of sexual victimization offenses for those between the traditional college ages of 18 to …